Usman Khawaja is in the eye of a storm regarding his commitment to Queensland Cricket, following accusations that he feigned a hamstring injury to skip the last Sheffield Shield match against South Australia. The tensions boiled over this week, particularly after Queensland Cricket general manager Joe Dawes publicly questioned the legitimacy of Khawaja's injury.
On March 21, 2025, Khawaja held a passionate press conference where he adamantly denied the claims made by Dawes, calling them "categorically untrue." His frustration reached a peak as he expressed disappointment that he was portrayed as deliberately skipping a vital match, which ultimately ended in a draw but still positioned the Bulls for the Sheffield Shield final.
According to Dawes, who commented shortly after the match on March 19, the medical staff at Queensland Cricket were under the impression that Khawaja was fit to play. “It’s just disappointing he didn’t play a game for Queensland when he had an opportunity to,” Dawes stated. He emphasized that according to their assessments, Khawaja had no hamstring issues preventing his participation in the game. An even more critical remark came from board member Ian Healy, who accused Khawaja of displaying a 'pick-and-choose mentality' with his appearances.
However, Khawaja vehemently refuted these assertions, explaining that he had communicated his condition to the Queensland medical staff and maintained contact with Cricket Australia throughout his rehabilitation. “I’ve talked to both our physios. I’ve talked to the Australian physio,” Khawaja clarified, adding that his hamstring issues were officially documented in Queensland Cricket's athlete management system. “Everyone knew about it. That was probably one of the most shocking things I heard,” he asserted.
Prior to the match against South Australia, Khawaja had reportedly performed poorly in a fitness test, registering a capacity to run at only 70%. Despite this, he played a pivotal role in Queensland’s previous match against Tasmania, scoring a century. He credited his wife for encouraging him to go through with the performance even while managing a hamstring issue.
Leading up to his absence from the latter match, Khawaja made a tactical decision with selectors from the Australian team—agreeing to skip the match against South Australia to preserve his fitness for the upcoming finals. “I can’t burn the candle at both ends,” Khawaja said, highlighting the reality of managing his physical condition at 38, especially as the team gears up for the World Test Championship later in the year. “I always try to play as many games for Queensland as I can, but I need to look after myself,” he affirmed.
The fallout from the comments made by Dawes has created further tensions. Khawaja expressed that he was “flabbergasted” by the implications of deliberately opting out of the match and described being emotionally devastated upon learning about the accusations following his absence—many of which he felt misrepresented the situation. “I started hearing murmurs and reports about me opting out, and I was fuming. I was actually really devastated,” he said.
Adding fuel to the coals, Khawaja made a weekend trip to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, which many in the cricket community viewed as inappropriate timing. However, he defended his actions, asserting he was still committed to his rehab routine while enjoying the race weekend with family. “I either go home and curl up in a ball or go watch F1. I still look after my body,” he insisted.
In a show of resilience and determination, Khawaja has now stated he intends to play in the upcoming Sheffield Shield final against South Australia, which is scheduled to begin on March 26, 2025. His participation could prove pivotal for the Queensland squad, which will be aiming for victory in the final and to reclaim supremacy on the Shield after his previous absence.
In light of the ongoing discontent around his injury status and the assertions from Queensland Cricket, Khawaja remains hopeful for a resolution. He expressed a desire for an open line of communication, indicating, “The olive branch is always there. If you don’t know how to make amends in sport, I don’t think you’ll ever succeed in sport.” As the drama unfolds, all eyes will be on Khawaja as he pushes through his hamstring niggle to lead Queensland into the Shield final, eager to silence the critics and ensure his contributions on the field prevail over disputes off it.
