The reason behind the veteran’s absence was the extended time he spent off the field during the England innings, which made him ineligible to bat. Khawaja had been off the field towards the end of England’s innings due to “toilet breaks and stretching”, according to ABC Sport.
According to ICC rules, if a player remains off the field for an extended period, he is not allowed to bat until he has served the corresponding amount of time on the field after his team has started batting. Khawaja’s time off the field was long enough to deny him the chance to open or even get out at No. 3, after a Jofra Archer whisker sent Weatherald back for a duck on just the second ball of Australia’s response, with Steve Smith joining Labuschagne.
ICC regulations for Usman Khawaja’s situation
As per ICC Rule: 24.2.3: If a player is absent from the field for more than 8 minutes, the following restrictions apply to his future participation in the match:
In addition, 24.2.3.2 provides that: The player is not permitted to bat in the match until his team’s batting innings is in progress, during playing time equal to the unexpired penalty time carried over from the previous innings. However, once his side has lost five wickets in the batting innings, he is allowed to bat immediately. If there is any unexpired penalty time remaining at the end of those innings, it will be carried over to the next and subsequent innings of the match.
Speaking of the match, Starc’s exceptional seven-for dismantled England as they were folded for an unimpressive total after opting to bat first. Starc made a career-best 7 for 58, including the dismissals of openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, as well as England mainstay Joe Root.
Get every cricket update! Follow us:
#Ashes #didnt #Usman #Khawaja #open #Australia #Perth #Explained