Former Australian cricket captain Kim Hughes believes it is time for Usman Khawaja to "set sail into the sun set" and let a new talent take over the reigns as opening batsman.
A dark cloud has placed a shadow over the future of Khawaja on the international stage, with many questioning if this year's Ashes series will be his last call-up to the squad.
The 38-year-old has been a vital player in the squad for several years, but his recent decline in form and battle with injury has continued to raise questions about his future.
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Khawaja was ruled out of the second Ashes Test due to a back injury, which also caused him issues throughout the first Test and left him unable to open for Australia.
However, while that injury has been a notable talking point in the build-up to the pink ball Test, others have called for selectors to acknowledge that may be Khawaja is no longer the best choice to opening the batting.
Khawaja has only made one score above 50 this year and his last century came in June 2023. Throughout the 2024 season, he averaged 31.12.
It is statistics like those that have Hughes confident Khawaja's time is up.
"Usman Khawaja has been pretty well looked after," he told 3AW's Wide World of Sports.
"His performances over the last year and a half haven't been that great at all.
"I would be quite happy for him to set sail into the sunset.
'He has been a very, very good player but it is time for somebody else."
Even when he is not in amongst the action, Khawaja can not escape the headlines, most recently receiving mixed reaction about his claim the Perth pitch was a "piece of shit".
Khawaja did not receive any punishment from Cricket Australia for his comment.
Still, that comment did not sit well with Hughes, rather it only added fuel to the fire as to why the 71-year-old believes it is time for Khawaja to head out the door.
"For him to come out and say that the wicket was shit, it was just ridiculous," he added.
"The ICC gave it a top rating – and it was. It was a quick wicket that is typical to Perth.
"For him to come out and say that, you know what, that wreaked of sour grapes."
Turning his attention back to who would be the ideal replacement for Khawaja, there were several contenders who came to the front of mind for Hughes.
One of the favoured contenders to take on the role for the second Test is Travis Head, who has earned mass praise for his second innings heroics in Perth.
The likes of Mark Taylor and Simon Katich have backed Head to open at the Gabba, however, Hughes disagrees.
"Well, the thing with it is the two openers, they are specialist positions," Hughes said.
"You can mix and match with who bats at 4, 5 or 6. It doesn't change much at all, if anything.
"But as opener, it is a specialist position. Travis Head, he was freakish in Perth, there is no doubt about that. But England didn't bowl well, mind you Travis still had to play well. Travis is not a specialist opener. Give him another opportunity, but I think he is more suited to batting at No.5 where he has been absolutely fantastic.
"I think there is an opportunity there for another specialist opener to come in. Marnus Labuschange looked very good and he has been fantastic batting at No.3.
"Josh Inglis, you know, he is a middle order player … I'm sure with Travis Head that he has a great attitude and will get out there. But if he misses out, then all of a sudden we are back to square one and we need another opening batsman again."
The first ball of the second Test will be bowled at 3pm AEDT on Thursday, December 4.
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