Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja has withdrawn from upcoming Australian Open The pro-am golfing tournament and golfing a day before the first Ashes Test led to a sharp reaction.
Khawaja was scheduled to play in the tournament at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club on 3 December, a day before the start of the second Test in Brisbane.
But the Australian PGA said he had withdrawn after this weekend’s first Test after being affected by back spasms.
The 38-year-old player did not start batting as usual When he started breaking a strange rule At the end of England’s innings. After leaving the field to be treated for a physical problem, he failed to return before the fall of the last English wicket, meaning he was out for 10 minutes, leaving Australia’s favorite No. 3 off the field. marnus labuschagne And debutant Jake Weatherald will open.
He eventually came in at number four and scored just two runs before being dismissed by Brydon Carse the heroism of travis head This meant that Khawaja was not required to bat.
Later reports alleged that he had played a round of golf the evening before the start of the Test, angering fans and former players.
former fast bowler Michelle Johnson wrote in west australian: “I’m not against players using golf as a way to switch off. But you also have to be professional.”
Khawaja appeared to take a dig at his critics by including a picture of a golf course in an Instagram post celebrating Australia’s win in the first Test. The post, titled “What a week! It was everything AU”, got the approval of captain Pat Cummins, who replied with a golfer emoji.
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg rejected Khawaja’s decision, saying that several other members of the team had played golf before the start of the Test.
He told SEN: “It’s not unusual for a lot of them to play golf the day before. A lot of people talk about having cricket played between the ears, and so having some time away from being in your hotel or training, I think is really important.
“I think Usman is a very experienced campaigner. He knows his body well, and he knows how to prepare himself for cricket, and he has done that for a long time.”
However, he is doubtful to play in the second Test at the Gabba, with Australia coach Andrew McDonald saying: “Medically, I’m not sure where he is.
“There was discussion about further investigation whether [the back issue] It was more serious than what we first anticipated. We have to get to camp in six days’ time, so it’s a long way, there’s a lot of information to be collected between now and then. Hopefully he is fit and available for selection.”