Usman Khawaja has publicly responded to what he termed “shocking” accusations from Queensland cricket officials regarding his recent absence from a Sheffield Shield match. Speaking to the media in Brisbane, Khawaja was prompted to address comments made by Queensland cricket chief Joe Dawes, who expressed disappointment over Khawaja attending the Formula 1 in Melbourne instead of participating in the Bulls’ match.
The Queensland Bulls managed to secure a draw, enabling them to qualify for the forthcoming Shield final against South Australia, although Khawaja’s participation in this match remains uncertain. Khawaja refuted Dawes’ claims that he exaggerated a hamstring injury as an excuse to skip the game, asserting that this narrative was “categorically untrue.” He expressed frustration that the situation escalated into a public dispute, contrary to his intention to handle matters privately.
Dawes had also remarked that he was unaware of Khawaja’s hamstring issue, stating that the medical team believed he could have played. Khawaja countered this by clarifying that both Queensland’s and Australian physios were informed about his condition. He found it surprising and disappointing to hear such comments questioning the legitimacy of his injury.
The controversy also drew critique from former Queensland cricket legend Ian Healy, who suggested that Cricket Australia should enforce player availability, particularly given the importance of the match for the team. Healy lamented a perceived trend of Khawaja’s selective participation, noting that other Test players returning from Sri Lanka had also opted out of the tournament.
Khawaja, who transitioned from playing for New South Wales to Queensland after the 2011/12 season, now faces scrutiny regarding his commitment to the state team. With the upcoming final on the horizon, the situation has sparked debate about player priorities and responsibilities within Australian cricket.