“These are the same racial stereotypes I have been [dealing with] my whole life,” Khawaja said. “I just thought the media and the old players had moved past it.”
No names were mentioned, but I am confident I am one of the reporters Khawaja was alluding to. I do not know him personally, but I have immense respect for everything he has achieved on and off the field.
Khawaja addresses the media on Friday morning.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
I also reject any suggestion that my reporting – or that of my colleagues in the press box – carried racist undertones. We were doing our jobs. The scrutiny would have been the same for any cricketer, regardless of their background.
Khawaja appears to believe commentators think about his ethnicity more than they actually do. As for the trolls on social media, that is a separate issue entirely. Khawaja is subjected to some genuinely awful attacks online, and that is wrong.
Here are the facts from Perth. Khawaja trained as usual in the lead-up to the first Test. He also played three rounds of golf in the three days before the first Test. Other players played golf, too.
Khawaja did not train the day before the Test. That is normal. Travis Head, who was out of form, chose to have a hit on match eve, which is not normal.
Brydon Carse dismisses Khawaja for 2 in the first innings at Perth.Credit: AP
Whether three rounds of golf in three days is too much is subjective – and beside the point. One current Australian Test cricketer’s personal coach has told his player not to play golf at all. Everyone is entitled to prepare for a match in the best way they see fit.
It only became an issue when, at the very moment Australia needed its opening batsman, Khawaja was struck down by back spasms and had to bat at No.4 on the first day of the series.
Khawaja’s back got worse, he was unable to open the batting in the second innings and did not play in the second Test.
“It was something I couldn’t control,” Khawaja said on Friday. “It wasn’t even about my performances. It was about something very personal. It was about my preparation.”
Usman Khawaja will play his farewell Test at the SCG tomorrow.Credit: Steven Siewert
I also enjoy golf and play it often. But you open yourself up to criticism when you cannot perform your primary role.
Back spasms are commonly linked to inflammation and overuse. Without sufficient rest, back muscles can fatigue.
Khawaja insists the golf had nothing to do with his back injury. He could be correct. But he cannot be certain of that – just as he cannot be certain that questions about his preparation carried racist undertones.
“From the outside, it doesn’t look great,” former Australian quick Mitchell Johnson wrote in his column for The West Australian at the time. “I reckon Khawaja’s teammates who don’t spend as much time on the golf course might not be sympathetic either.”
Any elite athlete in Australia doing the same thing would be scrutinised. If Mitchell Starc, or any other Australian player, played multiple rounds of golf and broke down on day one of the Ashes, you can be certain the same questions of their preparation would be asked.
Khawaja may believe otherwise. But suggesting race played a role sets back those trying to have these debates fairly.
Khawaja said he has “countless” examples of players playing golf and then getting injured, and “even more” examples of players drinking “15 beers” the night before a match and then getting injured.
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I look forward to those being cited. They certainly would have been reported, but journalists do not hide in bushes at golf courses.
Khawaja also suggested that speaking out on social issues was a reason he was “nailed” at the start of the summer.
Expressing strong views on social issues does not exempt an athlete from legitimate questions about their preparation, performance or results.
The most measured comments came from Gillespie.
“I’m not questioning the racism that Usman has faced throughout his life,” he told ABC Sport. “I’ve actually always admired him and applauded him for speaking up because racism is a big stain on our society, and it always needs to be called out.
“He referenced racism when he was talking about criticism that he received. A few former players came out and quite rightly questioned whether that [playing golf] was the best possible preparation.
“Being questioned over that and being held to account over your choices, that’s not bullying, it’s not abuse, that’s all part and parcel of being a professional. You can’t really throw a temper tantrum when asked to take accountability for the job you’re actually paid to do.
“I think the media in this space have been very consistent throughout this Ashes series. They’ve consistently questioned the preparation of the England side. I don’t see how that’s been any different.
“Usman also referenced that he’s been called lazy his whole life. I haven’t seen anything in the media that’s been said or written by anyone that’s referenced Usman being lazy, so I’m not sure where that’s come from.”
As Khawaja embarks on a media career, where he will be paid for his opinions and expected to call things as he sees them, he might want to reflect on his latest remarks.
Or at the very least, give Gillespie a call.
