Australian Test cricketer Usman Khawaja has been at the centre of controversy after attending the 2025 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. The 38-year-old opener had reportedly sustained a hamstring injury, which led to his absence from Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia.
However, Queensland’s Head of Cricket, Joe Dawes, accused him of deliberately skipping the game, claiming that Cricket Australia’s medical staff found no hamstring issues. “Our medical staff said all the way through he has been available for selection. That is my understanding from Cricket Australia staff as well,” Dawes stated.
He further expressed disappointment that Khawaja did not play despite having the opportunity, emphasizing that several other players were eager to participate.
Khawaja Responds Angrily to Accusations
Khawaja has strongly denied the allegations, calling Dawes’ statements “inflammatory” and “categorically untrue.” Speaking to reporters, he clarified that his injury was real and that medical professionals had been aware of it. “Joe said the medical staff had no idea (about the hamstring injury). That is 100 percent wrong,” he asserted.
Khawaja expressed frustration over having to publicly address the issue, stating that he initially wanted to keep the matter private. “For me, the most disappointing thing was I tried to keep this as in-house as possible, behind the scenes. It’s obviously not anymore,” he said. The veteran cricketer also described Dawes’ comments as shocking and disappointing, highlighting the need to clear up any misconceptions about his absence from the match.
Controversy Extends Beyond Khawaja
Khawaja is not the only Australian player facing scrutiny for attending the Grand Prix. Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has also been questioned for skipping his Sheffield Shield commitments to attend the event. Despite the controversy, both players remain key figures in Australia’s Test setup.
Khawaja, who has amassed nearly 6,000 runs in Test cricket over 80 matches, is expected to be part of Australia’s squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa on June 11 at Lord’s. As tensions continue to rise, Khawaja remains firm in defending his integrity, while Cricket Australia is yet to officially comment on the situation.
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