Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja has hit back at the Queensland Cricket boss Joe Dawes, who accused him of being unavailable for the Sheffield Shield match.
Khawaja did not play in the recent first-class match against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval. The southpaw flew to Melbourne to watch the Australian Grand Prix, which caused controversy.
The left-hander is currently dealing with a minor ankle issue and hamstring soreness.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Dawes criticized Khawaja’s absence, asserting that there was no valid reason for him to miss the Shield match in Adelaide.
“Our medical staff said all the way through he has been available for selection,” Dawes said on Friday.
“That is my understanding from Cricket Australia staff as well. No hamstring issues as far as we are concerned.”
He lamented his absence, highlighting the players who are out despite being ready to play.
“I go off our medical staff and there is no reason why he could not have played the last game.”
“It’s just disappointing he didn’t play a game for Queensland when he had an opportunity to. I have got a bunch of blokes here that all want to play,” he said.
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Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy, a Queensland Cricket board member, also criticized Usman Khawaja for not participating in the match.
On Friday, Usman Khawaja replied during a press conference that Dawes’s comments were disappointing and shocking.
He claimed that medical staff from Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia were aware of his hamstring concerns.
“Joe Dawes came out the other day and said a few inflammatory things, which is really disappointing to me as a player,” said Khawaja.
“After that, I felt like I had to speak up and at least give my side of the story. My hammy (hamstring) is reported, everything is there, everyone knew about it, he explained.
“Joey said the medical staff had no idea: that is 100% wrong. I was talking to the Australian (team) physio the whole time, ” he added.
The 38-year-old batter stated that he is not expecting an apology from Dawes and would have no grudges.
“I’m in the middle of Ramadan right now,” said the Pakistan-born 38-year-old.
“Islam’s very important to me. One of the things always is mending bridges. I’m never the kind of guy to hold grudges and to kick people out of my life, and I would never do that to anyone in Queensland Cricket,” he concluded.
Notably, Queensland will play South Australia in the final in Adelaide starting Wednesday.