Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has rejected suggestions that Usman Khawaja’s pre-Ashes round of golf at Perth’s exclusive Lake Karrinyup contributed to the back spasms that upended Australia’s batting order on day one.

Khawaja, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, coach Andrew McDonald and selection chair George Bailey were among the members of the home team and support staff who took to the links on Thursday afternoon ahead of the Ashes opener. It was Khawaja’s third round of the week after also playing on Tuesday and Wednesday.

England’s Brydon Carse celebrates the wicket of Australia Usman Khawaja. Credit: AP

After taking a catch in the first over of the match, Khawaja complained of lower back stiffness during the morning session and spent considerable time off the f

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