Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja. (FILE photo)
Australian opener Usman Khawaja has tangled himself into a bit of a pickle after being photographed at the F1 Grand Prix at Albert Park. The southpaw who missed the Sheffield Shield fixture for Queensland against South Australia citing a hamstring injury came under fire after getting spotted at Melbourne over the weekend.
Queensland’s Head of Elite Cricket Joe Dawes told News Corp “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 added.
“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 further said.
Though Queensland has made it to the final with a draw Dawes would be hesitant to confirm if Khawaja would be selected for the final game.
Speaking on SENQ “I’m glad I didn’t have my television on (to see him at the F1),” Queensland Cricket Deputy Chair Ian Healy revealed. “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.
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