In-Form Usman Khawaja Suffers Hamstring Injury, May Miss Day-Night Test vs New Zealand
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja suffered the hamstring injury on the second day of the second Test against New Zealand at Perth on Saturday.
Emerging Australia batsman Usman Khawaja faces a race against time to be fit for the historic day-night third Test against New Zealand in Adelaide later this month.
Khawaja's rollercoaster ride in international cricket continued when he strained a hamstring on the second day of the second Perth Test on Saturday.
The 28-year-old, the first Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia, was enjoying the best series of his burgeoning career against the Kiwis prior to the injury.
However, early in the New Zealand first innings he chased a ball to the boundary and pulled up sore.
He clutched at his left hamstring and cut a disconsolate figure as he limped from the field and was replaced by a local substitute fielder for the remainder of the day.
Khawaja will have the injury scanned on Sunday, but his immediate playing future is in doubt, with the third Test against New Zealand starting on November 27.
Team vice-captain David Warner conceded the initial diagnosis for Khawaja, who has a history with injury problems, wasn't encouraging.
"It's not a laughing matter unfortunately, he has hurt himself and it's not great," Warner said.
"It's his left hamstring again and fingers are crossed he can recover in the next 10 to 15 days.
"Back-to-back hundreds, running a lot out in the middle, back-to-back Tests and the quick turnaround, and having to chase a lot of balls to the boundary, is not ideal.
"Hopefully, he can recover soon."
Khawaja was recalled to the Australian side for the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba, having missed most of the last Australian season with a serious knee injury.
He has also had a history of hamstring issues.
Having previously played just nine Tests since debuting against England in Sydney in 2011, he posted his maiden Test century in Brisbane, making 174 batting at number three.
Khawaja followed up with 121 in the Australian first innings in Perth and finally looked to be cementing his spot in the Australian side.