Usman Khawaja has reaffirmed his commitment to Queensland Cricket, despite having had a public disagreement with Joe Dawes, the head of elite cricket. The conflict arose when Khawaja missed the final match of the Sheffield Shield season due to a hamstring injury, which Dawes claimed the medical team was unaware of, prompting Khawaja to label Dawes’ comments as “inflammatory.”
Following their dispute, Khawaja has been included in Queensland’s contract list. In March, Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson indicated that discussions to mend relations between Khawaja and Dawes were anticipated. By April, Svenson confirmed he had met with both individuals separately to address the situation.
Khawaja, along with players Xavier Bartlett and Marnus Labuschagne, is one of the three contracted players associated with Cricket Australia on the Queensland list. Additionally, pace bowlers Tom Whitney and Tom Straker have been promoted from the rookie list to full contracts for the upcoming season. Some players, such as Liam Guthrie, have moved on, with Guthrie signing with Northamptonshire, whereas Bryce Street and Connor Sully will not be continuing with the team.
Dawes expressed appreciation for Khawaja, Bartlett, and Labuschagne’s contributions, wishing Guthrie well in his new role and remaining supportive of Street and Sully as they navigate new challenges. He reflected on the Bulls’ progress last season, highlighting their potential to convert past improvements into successes in future competitions.
The Queensland Bulls squad has seen a mix of changes moving into the 2025-26 season, combining experienced players with fresh talent as they aim to enhance their performance across first-class and one-day formats.