Queensland Cricket have informed Yahoo Sport Australia that Usman Khawaja’s choice not play on this weekend’s Sheffield Defend conflict with South Australia is right down to the veteran batter wanting to remain contemporary for a big year of Test matches. Khawaja additionally did not wish to take the place of somebody who’d been enjoying within the Defend workforce all season, and due to this fact made himself unavailable for choice.
Cricket followers expressed their unhappiness and bewilderment that they will not be seeing Khawaja in Queensland’s essential match in opposition to SA when he was mysteriously lacking from the workforce introduced on Wednesday. South Australia have already secured a home final, however Queensland (36.8 factors), NSW (35.39), WA (34.43) and Victoria (32.49) can all make it relying on this weekend’s outcomes.
Within the different video games, WA will host Victoria on the WACA, whereas NSW journey to Bellerive Oval to face the last-placed Tasmania (who’re out of competition). Queensland will almost-certainly make the ultimate in the event that they beat SA, however they’re going to should do it with out run-machine Khawaja.
The veteran opener has been in brilliant form of late, and made 127 and 33 not out within the Bulls’ nine-wicket win over Tasmania final week. He additionally made an excellent double century in Sri Lanka final month, and was shaping as an enormous increase to the Queensland workforce amid their push for the Defend title.
However he knowledgeable Queensland selectors that he was “unavailable for choice” for the match in opposition to SA, and officers have now defined the scenario. In response to a Cricket Queensland spokesperson, Khawaja had flagged that he solely wished to play one of many two Defend matches that adopted his return from Sri Lanka.
Khawaja is about for an enormous yr of Take a look at matches, together with the World Championship closing in opposition to South Africa in June, a tour of the West Indies in July and blockbuster house Ashes sequence subsequent summer season. “He has been upfront about prioritising the following 9-10 Exams in his profession, and after an enormous yr, was aware that he wished to make that his focus,” a Queensland Cricket spokesperson informed Yahoo Sport Australia.
“He was additionally aware of taking the place of a batter who had been within the Bulls workforce for the majority of the season and depriving them of an opportunity to step up in a key match and thereby profit Queensland’s future depth and energy.” The brand new particulars offered on Thursday got here after followers have been left shocked by the information Khawaja would not be enjoying.
Decide out for what purpose??
— Cameron Hunt (@Cameron70043953) March 9, 2025
Aww man, straight after his hundred in Hobart too😭
— Saberracer02 (@saberracer02) March 12, 2025
What do you imply, “As predicted”??
Is he injured, spouse’s due?
In any other case want all arms on deck!
Have to win to be assured of creating the ultimate— Sam (@sal32t) March 12, 2025
Usman Khawaja’s nod to spouse and children after ‘robust’ summer season
Khawaja has been in brilliant touch of late and can almost-certainly lead Australia on the high of the order within the World Take a look at Championship closing at Lord’s. He made a brilliant 232 in the first Test against Sri Lanka, which got here after Michael Clarke sensationally declared he ought to retire after the fifth Take a look at in opposition to India on the SCG to permit some youthful gamers the possibility to step up.
However with a blockbuster Take a look at schedule in 2025, Khawaja will probably be a key piece for Australia in an enormous yr. If Sam Konstas returns to open alongside him, {the teenager} will significantly profit from Khawaja’s expertise and steering.
Speaking at the end of the Sri Lanka series, the 38-year-old lifted the lid on the ‘robust’ time he endured in opposition to India after he struggled for runs in opposition to Jasprit Bumrah. “I am not right here for anybody however the workforce,” he stated about calls he ought to retire. “(Australia coach) Andrew McDonald, one factor final yr he stated to me, ‘I do not care what occurs, simply be sure to’re on the Sri Lankan tour’.
“I am not simply enjoying cricket as a result of I’ve received a gluttony to attain a lot of runs. Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen tons of just isn’t going to make a distinction to my life. I believe I completed the summer season off very well, however had lots of people telling me how I ought to go by my profession and what I ought to do from right here on in. Once I end this sport, I’ve received lovely youngsters and a household. I am fairly chill with all the things, nevertheless it’s good to get 100 after the summer season as a result of it was a tricky time.”
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Marnus Labuschagne again on deck for Queensland
Matt Renshaw may also miss the sport for Queensland as a result of his accomplice is because of give beginning, however the Bulls have been boosted by the return of Marnus Labuschagne after national duties at the Champions Trophy. Labuschagne is again from the ODI match in Pakistan and can captain Queensland in opposition to SA in Khawaja’s absence.
“Marnus indicated he would play a match relying on the result of the Champions Trophy, so he’s a like-for-like alternative (for Khawaja) in that sense for the SA sport,” the Queensland Cricket spokesperson stated. “If the Bulls make the ultimate, we could have a chat with Usman and Marnus to ascertain their availability.”
Labuschagne will probably be eager for some runs amid questions about his place in the Test team transferring ahead. He hasn’t scored a Take a look at century in two years and will face stress from Cameron Inexperienced or Josh Inglis transferring foward.
