Revealed: The full text of Khawaja submission that sparked emergency CA meeting

Usman Khawaja’s submission to the International Cricket Council to wear a dove and olive branch on his bat during the Tests against Pakistan and West Indies invoked the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and was approved by an emergency meeting of the Cricket Australia board.

On Monday, Khawaja used a bat emblazoned with the dove in training at the SCG, but he is not permitted to do so during the Test match that starts on Wednesday after an ICC ruling. However, he will have CA’s approval to wear the logo during any Big Bash League matches he may play for the Brisbane Heat this season.

Australian opener Usman Khawaja.Credit: Getty Images

The submission, a copy of which has been obtained by this masthead, outlined Khawaja’s case. It did not mention Palestine or Gaza, with only a reference to “the Middle East” providing any specific context.

It was backed by CA after an unscheduled meeting of the governing body’s board, led by chairman and former New South Wales premier Mike Baird, after Khawaja had workshopped his submission with the CA chief executive Nick Hockley and his opposite number at the Australian Cricketers Association, Todd Greenberg.

However the request was subsequently rejected by the ICC and its cricket operations department. The senior manager of cricket operations is Clive Hitchcock and the general manager of cricket is Wasim Khan. The chief executive of the ICC is Geoff Allardice.

“I feel strongly about the right of every human being to enjoy peace, freedom and equality in dignity and rights regardless of their gender, age, colour, race, language, religion or national or social origin,” Khawaja wrote in the submission, which also featured an indicative diagram of the logo and its possible placement on the back of his bat.

“Some human rights are inalienable and transcend all our differences. These rights are enshrined in the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) that has been ratified by all member states of the United Nations.

“At a time when there is such a loss of life and liberty in the world – most recently in the Middle East – I would like to promote a personal message of peace, freedom and equality by displaying an internationally recognised symbol of peace and freedom – a dove with a sprig – on the back of my bat together with the phrase “01: UDHR” (Logo).”

Khawaja went on to write that he was following precedent for other approved or permitted personal messages on the clothing and equipment of other players. Marnus Labuschagne had a Bible verse reference attached to his bat, without an approval process. Nicholas Pooran (with a cross on his bat) and Keshav Maharaj (wearing a Hindu symbol) are examples of other players carrying personal messages out on to the field without sanction.

“At a time like this, I think it is incumbent on everyone to do what they can to promote these fundamental rights,” Khawaja wrote. “I believe that displaying the above Logo on my bat is a small but meaningful way to do this.

“In my application, I have been guided by the need to be proportional and mindful of other approved and/or permitted messages by teams and/or individuals.”

After discussing the matter at some length with Hockley and Greenberg in particular, Khawaja was hopeful of being able to wear the dove during the Boxing Day Test, but was informed the ICC had declined his request on the morning of Australia’s main training session on Christmas Eve. He subsequently wore the names of his two daughters on his shoes during the Test.

“The ICC, after giving due consideration to Usman Khawaja’s request for a personal message logo on his bat for the remainder of the Test series against Pakistan, did not approve the application,” an ICC spokesperson said.

“Personal messages of this nature are not allowed as per Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations, which can be found on the ICC Playing Conditions page.

“The ICC is supportive of players using their platforms outside of the playing arena to promote human rights, peace and equality and would encourage him to continue to use alternative platforms.”

Speaking at the MCG on Boxing Day, Hockley said that CA would continue to support Khawaja and his right to express his beliefs.

“We worked with Uzzy to try and find something which was nonpartisan, non-religious, apolitical, the universally recognised symbol of peace. But I think the ICC statement calls out the broader context,” Hockley said.

“We didn’t speak yesterday. We spoke the day before and I think over the last week or so we’ve been working really constructively with Uzzy to find a way that was nonpartisan, I think that symbol is universally recognised as a symbol of peace. That being said, the ICC have got their rules. I think they explained the rationale really clearly, and we respect that.”

Cricket Australia declined to comment on the board meeting.

At a reception for the Australian team at Kirribilli House on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised the retiring David Warner ahead of his final Test, and said of Khawaja: “I’d also like to congratulate your opening partner for the courage he has shown standing up for human values. He has shown courage and the fact the team has backed him in is a great thing.”

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