Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has withdrawn from his scheduled appearance at the Australian Open Pro-Am golf event, following significant public criticism for playing a round of golf immediately before the first Ashes Test against England.
The Backlash and Withdrawal
The controversy erupted when the 38-year-old opening batsman was ruled ineligible to bat in Australia's first innings in Perth due to back spasms. It was subsequently revealed that Khawaja had played a full 18 holes of golf on the eve of the Test match, a revelation that drew ire from fans and pundits alike.
Football great Kane Cornes voiced a common sentiment on social media platform X, questioning the 'elite professionalism' of a 'nearly 39-year-old warming up for a fierce Test with 18 holes of golf'.
Khawaja had been listed to participate in the star-studded Australian Open Pro-Am at Royal Melbourne Golf Club on December 3, the day before the second Test begins at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 4. However, following the weekend's opening Test and the ensuing criticism, the Australian PGA confirmed Khawaja has pulled out of the pre-tournament event.
Khawaja's Cheeky Response and Fitness Concerns
Not one to shy away from the debate, Khawaja posted a pointed response on his Instagram account. He shared a series of images celebrating Australia's first Test victory over England, with the final picture in the slideshow being a photograph of a golf course.
He captioned the post: 'What a week! It had it all AU.' The post garnered support from teammates and other sports stars, including Australian captain Pat Cummins, who replied with a golfer emoji, and AFL figure Daniel Gorringe, who commented that 'The golf pic is very good.'
Despite the light-hearted social media activity, serious questions remain about Khawaja's fitness for the second Test. Australia coach Andrew McDonald admitted uncertainty, stating, 'I'm not sure where he's [Khawaja] at, medically.' He revealed there were discussions about further investigation to determine if the injury was more serious than first thought.
McDonald explained the impact of the injury, noting, 'That back spasm took its toll in the first innings and got worse into day two... It's difficult once your back starts going into spasm to get it under control.'
Cricket Australia's Stance and On-Field Consequences
In the wake of the golf saga, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg publicly defended Khawaja's actions. He explained that the governing body had no issue with the batsman playing golf the day before the Test.
'It's not uncommon for a lot of them to play golf one day prior,' Greenberg told SEN radio. 'I noticed Mitch Starc played golf with him, so it certainly didn't impact his performance.'
Greenberg emphasised that Khawaja is a 'very seasoned campaigner' who knows his body and how to prepare for cricket. He suggested that drawing a direct correlation between the golf and his subsequent back issues was 'a long bow'.
On the field, Khawaja's limited participation had significant consequences. He came in at No. 4 during the first innings but scored only two runs before being dismissed. His unavailability to open in the second innings provided an opportunity for Travis Head, who seized it spectacularly by scoring the second-fastest century by an Australian in Ashes history, helping his side chase down a target of 205 runs.
With just ten days until the second Test in Brisbane, all eyes will be on Khawaja's recovery and whether he will be fit for selection as Australia looks to continue its winning start to the series.
