Veteran Australian batter Usman Khawaja finds himself in a tense situation with Queensland Cricket ahead of next week’s Sheffield Shield final. Despite this, he is expected to be named in an extended squad on Friday, with a final decision on his participation to be made before the match begins on Wednesday.
Controversy Over Shield Absence
The friction stems from Khawaja’s absence in Queensland’s last Shield match against South Australia, a game that ended in a draw and secured the Bulls’ place in the final. Instead of playing, Khawaja attended all five days of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne, a decision that raised eyebrows.
In response to speculation, Khawaja took to social media on Tuesday, explaining that he was rehabbing a hamstring issue sustained during Queensland’s previous Shield victory over Tasmania, where he played a crucial role with scores of 127 and 33 not out. Reports also suggest that he is managing an ankle concern from the Sri Lanka tour, although this did not prevent him from playing against Tasmania.
Queensland Cricket’s Stance
Queensland Cricket’s General Manager, Joe Dawes, strongly refuted Khawaja’s injury claim, stating that the team’s medical staff had cleared him for selection.
“That is my understanding from Cricket Australia staff as well. No hamstring issues as far as we are concerned,” Dawes told reporters.
“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 when he had the opportunity.”
Despite the disappointment, Queensland Cricket hopes Khawaja will make himself available for the Shield final.
Not the Only High-Profile Absence
Khawaja wasn’t the only Cricket Australia-contracted player to miss the final Shield round. Nathan Lyon, who also attended the Grand Prix, has been managing a hip issue and hasn’t played since returning from Sri Lanka. Steven Smith sat out New South Wales’ final match after his Champions Trophy campaign, while Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey chose to play for their respective teams.
Additionally, players heading to the IPL were granted No-Objection Certificates to leave early, meaning several stars missed the last Shield round to prepare for the tournament starting Saturday.
Khawaja’s Workload Management
At 38 years old, Khawaja has been carefully managing his workload in recent years, balancing rest periods to remain in peak condition for Test cricket. He has already played 11 first-class matches this summer, including seven Tests, making him one of the busiest red-ball batters in Australian cricket.
His approach to scheduling has been backed by Cricket Australia, allowing him to prioritize major tournaments. He previously skipped a Shield game against Western Australia just days after scoring a career-best 232 not out in Sri Lanka.
What’s Next for Khawaja?
After the Sheffield Shield final on March 30, Khawaja will have April and May off, allowing him to recover and prepare for an intense Test schedule. Australia faces:
- The WTC final in June
- A three-Test series in the Caribbean
- A break until the Ashes in November
As one of Australia’s most experienced batters, Khawaja is prioritizing longevity, ensuring he remains fit for key international assignments.
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