Queensland cricket’s cold war with Usman Khawaja could be over after urgent crisis talks

Usman Khawaja may yet finish his cricket career in Queensland as urgent crisis talks appeared to sooth his fiery feud with the Bulls - as rumours swirled of a shock switch for the veteran.

Queensland has made a breakthrough in the cold war between Usman Khawaja and Bulls head of cricket Joe Dawes.

The two were involved in a stunning fallout in the countdown to the Sheffield Shield final when Dawes claimed there was “no reason’’ Khawaja could not have played in the final Sheffield Shield match against South Australia, claiming he had no knowledge of the hamstring injury Khawaja had reported to Cricket Australia.

An angry Khawaja called the comments “inflammatory’’ and “categorically untrue’’ and revealed he had not spoken to Dawes for a month.

Friends of Khawaja sensed at one stage he was so disappointed, the incident may have prompted him to finish his career where he started it, playing for NSW.

Usman Khawaja was understood to be extremely disappointed about the saga. Picture: Tertius Pickard

But Queensland Cricket boss Terry Svenson revealed to Code Sports on Thursday there has been progress in peace talks and it appears the threat of Khawaja walking out on the Bulls and the Brisbane Heat has receded.

“I’ve now had the chance to speak with both Usman and Joe,’’ Svenson said.

“As I said recently the public comments were regrettable. They’re both looking forward to having some time-off now the season is over and then working together in what’s expected to be an incredibly busy summer ahead for the Bulls, Heat, and Australia.’’

Queensland Bulls’ head of cricket Joe Dawes. Picture: Richard Walker

It is believed Dawes regretted publicly criticising Khawaja. But even if Khawaja plays for the Bulls and Heat they may not have to see much of each other.

If, as expected, Khawaja’s next season is his last, he may only play a few more games for the Bulls – and even fewer for the Heat – so it is not as if he and Dawes will be living in each other’s pockets.

Though Svenson has spoken to Khawaja and Dawes it could not be confirmed whether they had spoken to each other since the incident.

EARLIER: QUEENSLAND AND KHAWAJA SET FOR URGENT TALKS

Queensland Cricket will conduct urgent talks to salvage Usman Khawaja’s future with the Bulls after his explosive public showdown with Joe Dawes.

Asked at Cricket Australia’s summer schedule launch whether he could see Khawaja playing for the Bulls again, Queensland Cricket boss Terry Svenson said “I hope so’’ and called the fallout “regrettable’’.

But nothing is certain until Svenson has discussions with Dawes – Queensland’s head of elite cricket – and Test opener Khawaja.

It is understood Dawes and Khawaja have not spoken for a month after controversial public comments from the official.

Usman Khawaja’s relationship with Queensland Cricket has deteriorated. Picture: Tertius Pickard

So Queensland’s options are to have the duo wave the olive branch or put in place a system where they don’t have to deal with each other.

The later option would normally be untenable but as next season could be Khawaja’s last and he may only play a handful of games for the Bulls and Brisbane Heat, it might be manageable for the duo to go their separate ways in the same system.

Dawes made national headlines when he spoke out about his disappointment about Khawaja attending the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne after missing the Bulls last Sheffield Shield game against South Australia.

Usman Khawaja and wife Rachel pose for a photo in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix. Picture: Getty

It was a complex issue because Dawes said he allegedly had no knowledge of Khawaja having a hamstring niggle which, Queensland Cricket later confirmed, Khawaja had reported to medical staff. Khawaja called Dawes claims “categorically untrue’’.

“Look those comments that were made in the media were certainly regrettable,’’ Svenson said.

“I would have liked to have seen them stay behind closed doors. Now that we are through the final I plan to sit down with them over the coming period and work through any differences they may have.

“Usman’s been wonderful for many years for us in Queensland and I would expect to see him in Maroon this season.

“Any relationship is likely to have its challenges and we are certainly not immune to that. They are two strong willed players. They’re lovers of Queensland cricket. That passion channelled in the right areas and we will be bigger and better next year.’’

Originally published as Queensland cricket’s cold war with Usman Khawaja could be over after urgent crisis talks