The Ashes day two LIVE: Aussie star turns into a villain together with his personal followers after horror mistake that embarrassed his crew

Usman Khawaja has been branded selfish and past it by Aussie cricket supporters after the stunning scenes in Perth yesterday when he was barred from opening the batting after spending too much time off the field during England’s innings.

At first the explanation was that the 38-year-old was absent so he could stretch and go to the toilet, but Pat Cummins then revealed that Khawaja had to be treated for back spasms.

The initial reaction from the home fans – and Aussie greats like Tom Moody, who described the episode as ‘beyond a joke’ – was harsh, but it only got worse when multiple reports emerged that Khawaja had played 18 holes of golf the day before and skipped the team’s optional training session.

His absence left debutant opener Jake Weatherald partnered with Marnus Labuschagne. Weatherald fell for a duck to Jofra Archer, then Khawaja fell for just two as the Aussie innings became an unmitigated disaster.

‘Usman Khawaja just cemented himself as the most selfish cricketer in the game,’ one Aussie fan wrote on X.

‘Better rest him for the remainder of the series, I reckon,’ added another.

‘In other words, he’s not 100% fit and we were screwed because of it. It’s time to go please Ussie. You’ve done well coming back but we need youth and someone who will score more than 10 runs a session,’ commented a third.

‘If it took fielding in the slips for a couple of hours to send his back into spasms, he’s done. Retire now. I can only imagine the turmoil it put in Weatherald’s mind in his first Test innings. Time to go…NOW,’ another wrote.

Australia’s ageing team was a major worry going into the series opener, and the Khawaja episode has put a rocket under those concerns.

Does England’s outstanding paceman have to play in every Test for England to win the urn?

Ricky Ponting says no.

Despite Archer’s brilliant performance on day one, ‘Punter’ believes his teammates Stokes, Wood, Atkinson and Carse showed that the Three Lions have adequate depth to carry on if the quick – who is returning to Tests after a long injury layoff – gets hurt or has to be rested.

Last November, 17 wickets fell on the first day in Perth – an occurrence experts said wouldn’t be repeated this year – as India were bowled out for just 150. Aussie fans were overjoyed… until the men in the baggy green were skittled for just 104.

Expectations that the match would be over within three days were turned on their head, however, as India declared at 6-487 in their second innings on a track that suddenly offered a lot more to the batters.

Former Aussie keeper Brad Haddin has predicted that today will be the best day for batting on this Perth pitch, and with Australia on the verge of being bowled out, Ben Stokes and his men will be hoping he’s right and the runs flow.

As good as the Aussies were with the ball yesterday, it was almost all down to Mitchell Starc, with Scott Boland proving a huge disappointment as he got hit to all points.

And while the tourists’ batting was exposed, the Aussies were far worse with the willow. They were the same last year, as they could only manage 238 in response to India’s huge total.

A quick look at Perth’s rain radar shows there are sporadic showers around the West Australian capital right now, though none over Perth Stadium.

The forecast predicts a medium chance of showers and a chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon.

Australian media blasted their own side after a disastrous first day in Perth, declaring the Ashes defence in ‘total disarray’ as the team collapsed to 123 for nine despite Mitchell Starc’s seven-wicket haul.

Usman Khawaja became the centre of a storm after being barred from opening due to time off the field, with reports claiming back stiffness, and even a pre-Test round of golf, contributed to the farcical delay.

The chaos forced an unprepared top order into action, leaving debutant Jake Weatherald out for a duck and Steve Smith pushed up early as Australia unravelled within minutes.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon’s family arrived to Optus Stadium yesterday, with his two eldest daughters Mila and Harper boasting very striking cricket shirts.

They had their father’s name emblazoned on the back, along with the number 67 – a nod to the viral meme that emerged in 2025 on TikTok and Instagram Reels.

Lyon’s wife Emma brought the girls – from his previous marriage – to the match, while also pushing their daughter along in a pram.

She promised that there would be more ‘cute outfits’ to show later in the match.

All of the Aussie batsmen had a torrid time on day one of the first Ashes Test, but former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was watching one with eagle eyes.

Cam Green has spent almost a year out of the game due to a stress fracture in his lower back that required surgery.

He was parachuted straight back into the Test team at the expense of Beau Webster, a contentious decision.

Now Ponting has accused of pre-empting deliveries on his return, a sign the former skipper says means Green is not at his confident best.

Ponting: ‘That is not a good sign. That is someone that’s not concentrating and not watching the ball.’

Australia will be desperate to find any runs they can on day two of the first Ashes Test at Optus Stadium today, after an incredible opening day of play that saw 19 wickets tumble – an Ashes record.

First, Aussie seamer Mitchell Starc recorded figures of 7-58 to skittle England for just 172 before tea.

England counter-attacked with a pace onslaught of their own, led by skipper Ben Stokes who claimed five for 23 in six overs during the last session, to reduce the hosts to 123-9 at stumps and still trailing by 49 runs.

Add to Australia’s pain is veteran opener Usman Khawaja, who reportedly suffered back spasms on day one, although the Aussies are confident he will be cleared to bat again if required.

Nathan Lyon is unbeaten on 3 while debutant Brendan Doggett is yet to face a ball.

Welcome to our live coverage of the second day of the first Ashes Test here at Optus Stadium. Will there be as much drama today as the opening day?