During the third day of the opening Test against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, Usman Khawaja sparked controversy by having to remove the black dove sticker from his bat.
This occurred after Khawaja’s bat cracked in Australia’s second innings on Saturday morning. When Matt Renshaw provided a substitute bat, the 36-year-old had to peel off the sticker depicting a dove with an olive branch before continuing his innings.
During the Test series against Pakistan, Usman Khawaja’s request to wear the dove as a symbol of solidarity with Palestine was turned down by the ICC, citing it as a ‘political protest.’ Despite this rejection, Khawaja persists in using the dove during his net sessions.
However, Cricket Australia’s Nick Hockley and Test captain Pat Cummins have assured unwavering support for Usman Khawaja, born in Islamabad.
Despite the ICC prohibiting him from wearing shoes displaying the messages “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right,” Khawaja wore a black armband during the series-opener against Pakistan. The sport’s governing body reprimanded him once more for this action.
Usman Khawaja is one of the five wickets claimed by Glenn Phillips on Day 3
On Saturday, the left-handed batsman was stumped for 28 by Tom Blundell off Glenn Phillips’ delivery. Partnering with Nathan Lyon, he was the second Australian wicket to fall in the initial session.
Australia, with Lyon’s top score of 41, concluded their innings at 169, leaving New Zealand with a challenging target of 369 for victory. Lyon, who dismissed Tom Latham before lunch, played a crucial role.
Australia secured a substantial 204-run lead after dismissing the Black Caps for 179 in response to their first innings total of 383. Australia is currently strongly positioned as the frontrunners to win the Test match and claim a 1-0 lead.
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