‘He’s best mates with Peter Dutton’: Why Usman Khawaja doesn’t expect an apology over injury feud

Usman Khawaja has hit back at Queensland’s Cricket boss Joe Dawes, saying claims he had lied about an injury to miss a vital Sheffield Shield game were “inflammatory” and “categorically untrue”.

In an extraordinary press conference on Friday morning where he went into detail about his recent injuries, an emotional Khawaja said he had not been in contact with Dawes for a month, expressed his disappointment at Test great and Queensland Cricket director Ian Healy, and even referenced federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton.

Dawes, who gave permission for coach Johan Botha to miss a Shield game so he could compete in an ultramarathon this season, claimed on Wednesday that Queensland Cricket was not aware of Khawaja’s injuries and were unhappy the Test opener had made himself unavailable for the final game of the regular Shield season, which finished on Tuesday in Adelaide.

But Khawaja, 38, said he had been in contact with physios from Queensland Cricket and Cricket Australia, and chief selector George Bailey, to map out a program where he would play Tasmania in a game that started on March 6 but miss the following match against South Australia to manage his workload.

CA has verified Khawaja’s claim to this masthead, but there is a belief within Queensland Cricket that from their medical assessment he was available to play against SA despite the player’s concern his hamstring could “pop”. A serious hamstring injury would impact Khawaja’s preparations for the World Test Championship final in June.

Khawaja’s calf, hamstring and shoulder issues from a season where he played 11 red-ball games and six at first-grade level is recorded in CA’s athlete management system, which Queensland Cricket has access to.

On match eve, Khawaja was in doubt to play Tasmania due to hamstring tightness but put his hand up to play on the understanding he would not be able to sprint to guard against further damage. Khawaja starred with scores of 127 and 33 not out in Queensland’s victory, without which the Bulls would have failed to make the final.

Khawaja, who defended his attendance of the Formula 1 grand prix in Melbourne at the same time as the game in South Australia, said he was “fuming” when he heard whispers questioning the validity of his injuries.

“For me, the most disappointing [thing] was I try to keep this as in-house as possible behind the scenes – obviously not any more,” Khawaja said at a press conference attended by Queensland Cricket chair Kirsten Pike in support.

Usman Khawaja and wife Rachel at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix on Sunday.Credit: Instagram

“Joe Dawes came out the other day and said a few inflammatory things, which is really disappointing to me as a player. After that, I felt like I had to speak up and at least give my side of the story.

“The first and foremost thing, Joey said the medical staff had no idea. That is 100 per cent wrong. I’ve talked to both our physios ... I was talking to the Australian physio the whole time. It’s on AMS – our athlete management system – my hammy is reported, everything is there, everyone knew about it.

“That’s probably one of the most shocking things I’ve heard said. That’s really disappointing because it’s categorically untrue. I just want to clear that up. The physio 100 per cent knew about my hammy injury.”

Dawes declined to comment when approached for a response on Friday.

Khawaja took a thinly veiled swipe at Healy, deputy chair of Queensland Cricket, for publicly questioning his commitment to Queensland after he had needed reassurance from his wife Rachel that he leave his family to fly to Tasmania as Cyclone Alfred closed in on Brisbane.

“A board member started to attack me, which was really disappointing for me because I feel like the board has a responsibility to the organisation and the players,” Khawaja said.

Khawaja said he was not expecting an apology from Dawes but would be prepared to discuss the matter with the cricket boss after the final.

“He’s best mates with Peter Dutton, and I’ve never seen Dutton given an apology in 20 years,” Khawaja said. “I’m not going to expect it. This is not about an apology at all. In all seriousness, I’m just here getting all the facts out.

“After this it will be about me concentrating, not holding any grudges. I’m in the middle of Ramadan right now. Islam’s very important to me. One of the things always is mending bridges. I’m never the kind of guy to hold grudges and to kick people out of my life, and I would never do that to anyone in Queensland Cricket.”

Dawes had previously worked as a staffer for Dutton when the Opposition Leader was the defence minister in 2021. Dutton’s office has been contacted for comment.

The matter blew up publicly on Wednesday when Dawes, in a press conference organised by Queensland Cricket, expressed his disappointment at Khawaja’s unavailability for the final Shield game of the regular season.

“That is my understanding from Cricket Australia staff as well – no hamstring issues as far as we are concerned,” Dawes said.

“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.

“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.

“Hopefully he will make that decision to make himself available for next week (for the final), and we will make that decision (selecting the team) on Friday.”

Khawaja was yesterday named in Queensland’s 14-man squad for the Sheffield Shield final.

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