‘Disappointed’: Storm erupts over Usman Khawaja Shield snub as F1 photos emerge

Usman Khawaja’s decision to skip a cricket game and attend the F1 has sparked a furore amid accusations about the Test star’s injury status.

Queensland Cricket is “disappointed” Usman Khawaja chose not to play a must win Sheffield Shield game, claiming the Test opener was fit but “declined the opportunity to play for Queensland”.

Khawaja is set to return to Queensland’s team for next week’s Sheffield Shield final against South Australia after the Bulls made the decider despite ending the 10-round season with less wins than Victoria.

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The 38-year-old returns after a curious decision to skip the final game in Adelaide, instead attending the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, amid reports he was managing a hamstring issue.

Queensland’s match against South Australia ended in a draw, and despite Victoria claiming one more win than Queensland for the season, the Bulls made the final after finishing 0.27 points ahead courtesy of bonus points achieve in the final game.

Khawaja didn’t play in the Bulls’ draw with SA after making himself “unavailable for selection”. Instead Khawaja attended the F1 grand prix in Melbourne with his wife Rachel.

The Test veteran and was spotted bumping into Sky Sports commentator Martin Brundle on his iconic pre-race grid walk, along with Aussie cricket great Aaron Finch.

Khawaja also grabbed a selfie on the grid with Lewis Hamilton’s dad Anthony.

Rachel and Usman Khawaja at the F1 in Melbourne. Photo: Instagram.

Khawaja . (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

In a public rebuke you can watch in the video above, Queensland Head of Elite Cricket Joe Dawes said he was disappointed with Khawaja’s decision not to play and attend the Australian Grand Prix instead.

“We’re disappointed Uzzie didn’t play the game in South Australia,” Dawes told reporters on Wednesday.

“That’s the decision he made and he’s communicated some reasons for that out in the public.

“He declined the invitation to play for Queensland.”

Dawes added that Queensland and Cricket Australia weren’t aware of any hamstring or ankle niggles Khawaja was reportedly rehabbing.

“Our medical staff all the way through (have) said he’s been available for selection and that’s my understanding from the Cricket Australia medical staff as well,” Dawes said.

“No hamstring issue as far as we’re concerned.

“There’s just disappointment … he didn’t play a game for Queensland when he had the opportunity to and that’s on him. I’ve got a bunch of blokes here that all want to play.”

The SMH reports Khawaja was upset by Dawes’ comments, which left Queensland Cricket officials “scrambling” ahead of the announcement of the squad for the Shield final on Friday.

Usman Khawaja bumped into Martin Brundle on his grid walk. Photo: Sky Sports.

Usman Khawaja (right) with Lewis Hamilton's dad Anthony.

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon and his wife Emma also attended the F1 race and the glitzy Glamour on the Grid event. Lyon and Steve Smith missed NSW’s final match against Tasmania.

Khawaja scored a career high 232 in Australia’s recent tour to Sri Lanka, shoring up his spot in the Test side ahead of June’s World Test Championship final against South Africa, three Tests in the West Indies and next summer’s Ashes.

He is scheduled to train with Queensland on Friday ahead of the Sheffield Shield final, which begins next Wednesday at Karen Rolton Oval.

Usman Khawaja and Rachel Khawaja pose for a photo in the paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Emma and Nathan Lyon at the F1 Glamour on the Grid event. Photo: Instagram.

Travis Head, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc didn’t play in the final Shield round as they are preparing for the Indian Premier League.

Queensland skipper, and Khawaja’s Test teammate, Marnus Labuschagne, said the veteran was at a “a different stage in his career” and his move had to be supported.

“We understand if we want the best out of him he’s going to need to make sure he’s ready to go and he’s fresh so he doesn’t get himself injured,” Labuschagne said.

Usman Khawaja will return to Queensland’s line-up for the Sheffield Shield final. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

“He’s obviously a vital player for Australia and a really big asset for the national team, so having Uzzie back for the final it’s almost the perfect result – him having the week off and then being able to come back.

“And step up in big games which we know he can do, he’s done it many, many times before.”

Queensland won all three of its matches in the second half of the season after the break for the Big Bash, rising from last into an improbable finals berth.

“I’ve never played in a season where three wins could potentially get you into a Shield final, it’s crazy to think that,” Queensland wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson said.

“We knew what the bonus points structure looked like after the games around Australia. We knew with the Victoria-WA game, for us to stay in front if Victoria won the game we needed those bonus points from that batting innings.

“To be in the position we’re in now after five games with no wins, and being able to pull in three wins in the last five games and a draw, that’s a really good effort,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Disappointed’: Storm erupts over Usman Khawaja Shield snub as F1 photos emerge