Khawaja passed his first concussion test on Friday and scans showed no damage to his jaw. He must pass another concussion test on Saturday to ensure he is not experiencing late symptoms and will be monitored ahead of the second Test in Brisbane.
But despite the scare, Australian head coach Andrew McDonald said the selectors were unlikely to include another batsman in the squad and could release Renshaw back to play in Monday's heat on the Gold Coast and Wednesday's final in Sydney.
„I think it's information from the needle [Khawaja] Later that will dictate how it pans out,” MacDonald said. „The positive for the Brisbane Heat is that the finals will be somewhere on the east coast, so it will be timed to play the finals. If it's on the West Coast, it'll be more difficult.
„We consider the risk when we release players, I think the chance of concussion is 0.5%. So it was ironic that the first time we allowed a player to go back during the Big Bash was a knock on the head. Fortunately, the game was at a point where we didn't think it was going to be more of a risk than it needed to be.” .So we're glad Renners went back and worked for the Heat.
„We feel like we've got flexibility when we have to release players and we want players to play.”
„One's sample size is always difficult to judge,” McDonald said. „We're comfortable with where it all landed. That top six and the way they complement each other gives us the best chance to get the most.” [scores]. We're very comfortable with Smudge at the top of the order and then it was good to see Cameron Green back on the field, ball in hand and bat in hand. So we are confident that they will work. I think hindsight says it all.”
Australia's batsmen were impressed by the quality of Shamar Joseph's bowling in the Adelaide Test, but the coach believes they will be better prepared for him in Brisbane after getting a good look at him.
„It's always difficult to be invisible to the batter,” MacDonald said. „If you don't watch someone and get used to their rhythm and the cues they give, sometimes you get drawn into shots you don't play, and we saw that with Marnes as well. It was his second bouncer, he probably didn't have the cues and that brought him a little bit quicker and his death.
„So now we feel like there are less unknowns going into the second Test. We've seen them better. I think a lot of those little decision-making errors have crept in.”