Ashes 2019: Usman Khawaja clears fitness test, David Warner struck during nets at Edgbaston

Will Australia throw Khawaja back into the Test XI given that he hasn't played since July 6?

Usman Khawaja is primed to play the first Ashes Test from August 1, after undergoing several strenuous tests under the supervision of Australia‘s coaching and medical staff at Edgbaston.

The left-hand batsman, who suffered a hamstring injury during the latter stage of Australia’s World Cup campaign earlier this month, was made to work on his running between the wickets on Tuesday in Birmingham followed by an hour of batting in the nets and slip field catching practice.

(READ: Ricky Ponting urges Usman Khawaja to impose himself in Ashes)

While Khawaja has firm backers in coach Justin Langer and batting consultant Ricky Ponting, the fact remains that he has not played a match since July 6. Whether Australia’s think-tank choose to play him in the first Ashes Test starting Thursday remains to be seen, but fielding coach Brad Haddin, speaking on the new episode of The Unplayable Podcast, said that Khawaja had “got through everything we asked”.

“We pushed him really hard the last few days and he’s responded well,” said Haddin. “It’s best to get the answers now rather than in a Test match and he’s got through everything we’ve asked of him so far. We’ve got two more days, we’ll see how he recovers but it’s all looking like he’s going to be right to play.”

(READ: CA splits Sheffield Shield and one-day cup in revamped schedule)

Also during Australia’s training session at Edgbaston on Tuesday, David Warner was hit on his left knee when an inside-edge ricocheted off a shot played against Ashes rookie Michael Neser. Warner was attended to by Australia’s medical staff and limped away from the nets to get the swollen area iced.

Reports from Edgbaston are that the injury is not serious enough to keep Warner out of the Ashes opener, which will be his first Test since the controversial ball-tampering scandal broke at Cape Town in early 2018.