File photo of Usman Khawaja.© X (formerly Twitter)
The Australian opener Usman Khawaja has cleared controversy due to alleged fake injury and attending an F1 Grand Prix race in Melbourne at the weekend. According to the claim, the Southpaw missed the Sheffield Shield match of Queensland because of a reported hamstring injury, but the Australian Grand Prix attended. According to the head of Queensland of Elite Cricket Joe Dawes, however, there was no injury to the player. Dawes also expressed 'disappointment' for the fact that Khawaja did not show up before the game against South Australia, which took place between March 15 and March 18.
“Our medical staff said he was available for selection,” Dawes told News Corp as quoted by the Indian Express.
“That is my understanding of Cricket Australia staff too. No hamstring problems as far as we are concerned. I am leaving our medical staff and there is no reason why he could not have played the last game. It is simply disappointing that he did not play a match for Queensland when he had the opportunity.
“I have a number of guys here that everyone wants to play. I think we are disappointed that he did not play the game against South Australia. That is the decision he has made and he has communicated some of the reasons for it in the audience. 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 added.
Queensland Cricket place replacement chairman Ian Healy said he spoke with Cricket Australia about the issue.
“I'm glad I didn't have my television (to see him on the F1),” Healy told Senq. “Cricket Australia should feel a bit under the pump, I spoke with them and they were not aware of the worries of Queensland that he did not play for Queensland, they would want us to have brought them earlier,” he added.
The Queensland versus South -Australia match ended in a draw and the side made the final of the tournament. The same teams will face each other in the Summit collision, from March 26.
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