Published: Mar 20, 2025, 09:55 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 20, 2025, 09:56 AM (IST)
Veteran Australia batter Usman Khawaja has been accused of allegedly faking an injury in order to attend the F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne. The 38-year-old didn’t feature in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia reportedly due to a hamstring injury, but was spotted attending the race.
Queensland’s Head of Elite Cricket, Joe Dawes has thrown Khawaja under the bus, stating that there was no injury to the batter and also expressed disappointment due to the fact that the batter didn’t turn up for their match that took place between March 15 to 18.
“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. 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,” Dawes said as quoted by The Indian Express.
“I have got a bunch of blokes here that all want to play. I think we are disappointed he did not play the game against South Australia. That’s the decision he made and he has communicated some of the reasons for that in the public. Hopefully he will make that decision to make himself available (for the final) for next week and we will make that decision on Friday.” Dawes added.
Queensland Cricket deputy chairman Ian Healy said that he spoke to Cricket Australia (CA) about the matter and stated that they should feel a ‘little under the pump’ with it.
“I’m glad I didn’t have my television on (to see him at the F1). Cricket Australia should feel a little under the pump with this, I spoke with them, and they weren’t aware of Queensland’s concerns with him not playing for Queensland, they wish we would have rung them earlier,” Smith said.
