Usman Khawaja had opted out of the Sheffield Shield match against South Australia owing to an injury but was spotted attending a Formula1 race, 'disappointing' Queensland Cricket.
Khawaja made 127 and 33 not out as Queensland beat Tasmania in their previous Sheffield Shield match. When he decided to miss the last league match against South Australia, citing a hamstring injury, Queensland Cricket (QC) accepted his decision.
South Australia batted Queensland out of the game after Khawaja missed the match. They declared on 614-7, and did not enforce the follow on despite a 244-run lead. Both teams still qualified for the final, to be played from March 26 at Adelaide Oval.
However, while South Australia topped the table with 55.61 points, Queensland (39.76) barely edged past Victoria (39.49). By winning their last match, Victoria also ended the hopes of Western Australia, who finished last with 35.43 – but were 35 runs away from adding six points to their tally and qualifying instead of Queensland.
Queensland Cricket manager: No reason why Khawaja couldn't have played
A 7News report subsequently quoted the opinions of QC general manager Joe Dawes on Khawaja’s decision. “Our medical staff said all the way through he has been available for selection,’’ said Dawes.
“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.
“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.’’
Over the weekend, Khawaja and his wife had attended the Australia Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne over the weekend. According to a Brisbane Times report, QC director Ian Healy was “angered” by Khawaja’s appearance at the F1.
“The board should be aghast that Usman Khawaja has chosen not to play the last round of the Sheffield Shield competition to get his state into the final,” said Healy. “To Cricket Australia – your contracted player doesn’t play your long-standing competition. Our cricket needs to be built on integrity, skill and ‘ticker’, not absence.”
