Usman Khawaja agrees to stay with Queensland Bulls after feud with Joe Dawes

After his major fallout with Queensland Bulls director of cricket Joe Dawes, Usman Khawaja has made a call on his immediate domestic playing future.

Test batsman Usman Khawaja has agreed to play on with the Queensland Bulls despite his stunning late season clash with Joe Dawes.

Khawaja has been named on the Queensland Bulls player list as one of three players contracted by Cricket Australia who will play for the Bulls next summer.

The veteran batsman had a major falling out with Bulls director of cricket Dawes who publicly criticised Khawaja for not being available for the final Sheffield Shield regular round match against South Australia.

Khawaja was upset by the criticism and it is believed the duo have not spoken since.

But following talks with Queensland Cricket boss Terry Svenson, Khawaja has agreed to stay on for what could be the final season of his first class career.

In a season which features five Ashes Tests, Khawaja may only play two or three Shield games.

Young pace bowlers Tom Whitney and Tom Straker, who showed promise in their debut first class summers, have been promoted to full contracts. Straker, 19, claimed 12 wickets in five Shield games while Whitney bagged 11 in three.

Queensland’s pace depth has been bolstered with former Australian under-19 quick Tom Balkin gaining a contract for the first time.

Three players – fast man Lian Guthrie who has lined with Northamptonshire, Bryce Street and Connor Sully, have dropped out of the squad.

Originally published as Usman Khawaja agrees to stay with Queensland Bulls after feud with Joe Dawes