Usman Khawaja has hit back at comments from Cricket Queensland official Joe Dawes, who suggested he simply didn't want to play last weekend in a vital Sheffield Shield clash. Questions are being asked about why Nathan Lyon isn't facing the same scrutiny as Usman Khawaja after he also attended the Australian Grand Prix with his wife when he technically could have been playing.
Khawaja has found himself at the centre of a storm after he was unavailable for Queensland's vital clash with South Australia. Travel plans from the renowned cricket player showed a trip to Melbourne with wife Rachel to attend the Grand Prix, which has added fuel to the fire. Initially, Cricket Queensland stated that Khawaja wanted to keep himself fresh for a big year of Test cricket and didn't want to take the place of a teammate who'd been playing all year. However, clarity came with the revelation that he's been battling a hamstring niggle, which he said he aggravated while making a century for Queensland in the previous game against Tasmania.
On March 19, 2025, Joe Dawes made some explosive comments, stating that they had no knowledge of the hamstring issue. He expressed his disappointment, saying that Khawaja simply chose not to play. “Our medical staff said all the way through he has been available for selection. That is my understanding from Cricket Australia staff as well. No hamstring issues as far as we are concerned,” Dawes told News Corp. “There’s just 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.”
Khawaja was understandably hurt by the remarks and made it clear that he will be available for selection for the Shield final starting next Wednesday, March 26, 2025. At a media conference held in Brisbane on March 21, Khawaja addressed the speculation: “For me, the most disappointing thing was, I try to keep this as in-house as possible behind the scenes - it’s obviously not anymore. Joe Dawes came out the other day and said a few inflammatory things, which was really disappointing to me as a player, and after that, I just felt like I had to speak up and say something, and give my side a story.”
In response to Dawes's claim that Queensland had no knowledge of his hamstring complaint, Khawaja stated: “The first and foremost thing was Joey said that the medical staff had no idea. That is 100 per cent wrong. I’ve talked to both (Queensland) physios. I’ve talked to the Australian physio. I was talking to the Australian physio the whole time. It’s on AMS, our athlete management system. My hammy (injury) is reported. Everything is there. Everyone knew about it.” He continued, “People always want to come at me about not playing this game, not playing that game, but I don’t do anything without talking to Cricket Australia first. Cricket Australia always have the final say. We discuss, they tell me what they think I should do, and then we go out and actually do it.” Khawaja, who is now 38 years old, emphasized the need to take care of himself while still aspiring to play for Australia.
This entire situation has sparked an intense debate regarding the obligations of players with Cricket Australia contracts to participate in state cricket, especially as they are not also contracted to their state teams. It’s an interesting angle considering that while Khawaja opted out, other players have also chosen to prioritize their availability for upcoming Test matches and tours. Nathan Lyon was also spotted at the Grand Prix with his wife Emma, yet he didn't attract the same level of scrutiny, which led many to question differentiating treatment within the cricketing realm.
For instance, during the time Khawaja chose to attend the Grand Prix, cricket journalist Robert Craddock pointed out on SEN radio that other Test players like Steve Smith and Travis Head have been less criticized for their absence from recent state plays. “Someone told me Lyon hasn't been playing due to workload issues,” Craddock mentioned. “Really? A spin bowler whose next first-class game is two months away.” The communities echoed the disappointment with this double standard in treatment as one user expressed on Twitter, “Tell me why Uzzie is getting demonised, while Lyon was at the exact same F1 match with the exact same implication of ‘skipping’ his state’s Shield round?? Why the double standard?”
Even as scrutiny hung in the air, Khawaja was confidently preparing for the final. On a more reflective note sharing his thoughts with the media, he stated, “It’s not by any coincidence I’m 38 and still playing. I still love Queensland Cricket, no matter what happens.” Marnus Labuschagne, who will captain the Bulls in their Shield final, stated that Khawaja missing the match and returning for the final was “the perfect result.”
Khawaja’s presence in the upcoming Sheffield Shield final — after passing a fitness test, to be named in the 14-player squad — is a testament to his resilience as an athlete and his commitment to the team. The days leading up to the match are sure to be charged with an atmosphere of anticipation, and as Khawaja plays on, so does the narrative of his journey within cricket, balancing personal health and professional duties.
