Anthony Albanese backs Usman Khawaja’s peace stance as opener reveals psychological toll of human rights concerns

Usman Khawaja has revealed he sought psychological help to cope with the trauma of seeing images from Gaza, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese threw his support behind the Australian cricket star.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has praised Usman Khawaja as the batsman revealed he sought psychological help to cope with the toll of his human rights concerns.

Khawaja revealed in an interview on Fox Cricket on Monday night he spoke to Cricket Australia and their sports psychologist about how the conflict in Gaza had sapped his motivation to play cricket.

Khawaja has worn slogans such as “all lives are equal’’ and an image of a dove holding an olive branch on his shoes in the nets this season in sympathy with the victims of the Gaza war.

He has been banned from wearing them in international matches but the dove is likely to be permitted in the Big Bash.

“I don’t do these things on a whim - this is something that has affected me for a long time,’’ Khawaja told Fox Cricket.

“I was playing Sheffield Shield cricket before the Test series and I was really lacking motivation. I talked to my wife Rachel, I talked to our sports psychologist Brent Membrey and Cricket Australia and told them I really am struggling for motivation right now.

“When I see all these people, particularly innocent kids, dying and I see videos of that happening it really has an effect on me. Going out and playing cricket just seemed so insignificant and I’m really struggling with it.

“It had a big impact on me. I thought long and hard about what I could do and how I could do it without segregating and pushing people aside.’’

A dove symbol is seen on the shoe (R) of Australia's Usman Khawaja. Picture: William West / AFP)

The International Cricket Council rejected Khawaja’s request to wear them during the first two Tests against Pakistan but the Prime Minister publicly supported Khawaja during a function for the Australian and Pakistan teams at Kirribilli House on Monday night at the tail end of a tribute to the retiring David Warner.

“I want to praise your opening partner Usman Khawaja for the courage he has shown in standing up for human values,’’ the Prime Minister said in his speech.

“He has shown courage and the fact that the team has backed him in is a great thing. When Ussie and Dave go out (to bat) it will be a very special moment at the SCG.’’

Khawaja had worked with Cricket Australia to find a slogan to express his sympathy for the Gaza victims which he hoped the ICC would sanction but was warned by the games governing body he faced disciplinary action if he wore the dove in an international match, prompting him not to do so.

There is, however, an expectation Khawaja will be permitted to wear the dove if he plays another game for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash this summer for the competition is controlled by CA who saw no issue with the emblem of peace.

Due to a cramped international schedule it is not certain Khawaja will play again for the Heat this season but if he does it is likely to be with the dove on his bat and boots so long as it is approved by the Heat which seems a formality.

Originally published as Anthony Albanese backs Usman Khawaja’s peace stance as opener reveals psychological toll of human rights concerns