Optimistic Aussies take precautions with Khawaja

Captain Tim Paine has played down fears inured batsman Usman Khawaja is in danger of missing the first Ashes Test in Birmingham which begins in 10 days' time.

Khawaja suffered a hamstring strain on July 6 in Australia's World Cup match against South Africa in Manchester, and was then ruled out of the tournament with an expected recovery time of three to four weeks.

With Australia's four-day intra-squad match beginning 17 days after he sustained the injury, it was decided the left-hander would miss the warm-up clash in Southampton starting on Tuesday.

In positive signs, Khawaja has trained lightly with his side – the Haddin XII – on the weekend, batting in the nets and undergoing a series of sprints and leg work on Sunday under the instruction of the squad's medical support staff.

But given his history of hamstring issues, which includes a moderate hamstring strain in the 2015 Perth Test against New Zealand that ruled him out for two Tests, extra precaution will be taken with the 32-year-old.

Khawaja was said to be close to playing in Southampton and there is a slim chance he could feature should another player go down, according to Paine.

"I don't think he's in serious doubt (of missing the first Ashes Test)," Paine told reporters in Southampton on Sunday.

"He's in a rehab stage so the decision has been made that he won't play at this stage.

"There is a possibility, maybe, if something were to happen to someone else he might be right for the back end of the game.

"But we expect him to be fully fit and available for selection for the first Test."

Khawaja has been Australia's long-term No.3 since the last Ashes series in England four years ago, posting eight centuries and an average of 47.76 in that period.

While he endured a difficult Test summer at home against world No.1 India, he finished with 101 not out against Sri Lanka in Canberra and carried that form into the 50-over format to enter the World Cup as the leading run-scorer in one-day internationals in 2019.

He was solid at the top of the order in Australia's World Cup campaign which ended at the semi-final stage at the hands of eventual champions England, with his injury coming in the final group match at Old Trafford. Khawaja was replaced by squad teammate Matthew Wade.

Australia's selectors are set to name the Ashes squad at the end of the four-day game in Southampton before traveling to Birmingham on Thursday ahead of the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston from August 1. 

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Tour match: Hick XII v Haddin XII, July 23-26

First Test: Edgbaston, August 1-5

Tour match: Australians v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: Lord's, August 14-18

Third Test: Headingley, August 22-26

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: Old Trafford, September 4-8

Fifth Test: The Oval, September 12-16