Usman Khawaja situation explodes as Queensland cricket official drops eye-opening claims - nile sport

Usman Khawaja has reportedly made himself available for the Sheffield Shield final after his controversial decision not to play the last game of the regular season. But the situation exploded on Wednesday afternoon when his participation was thrown into major doubt by comments from a Queensland Cricket official.

The Aussie Test opener opted not play Queensland's crucial clash with South Australia this week, which ended up securing their spot in the decider. Queensland Cricket told Yahoo Sport Australia last week that Khawaja only wanted to play one of the two Shield games that followed his return from Sri Lanka, but the decision proved controversial due to the crucial nature of the game that he opted not to play.

Officials also revealed the veteran didn't want to take the spot of a teammate who's been playing all year, and wants to stay fresh for a big year of Test cricket. It's since been revealed that Khawaja has been carrying a hamstring niggle, but Queensland officials didn't think it was enough to rule him out.

Khawaja is also believed to have wanted to spend time with his family during Ramadan, and scorching temperatures in Adelaide last week would have made it extremely difficult for someone who was fasting. The 38-year-old travelled to Melbourne instead and attended the F1 Grand Prix with his wife while his teammates were playing.

After Queensland's draw with SA was enough to see them advance to the final, Khawaja has reportedly decided he wants to play. The Courier Mail reported on Wednesday that "top level talks ended a week of confusion and behind-the-scenes tension", and Khawaja has chosen to return for the final.

Usman Khawaja's relationship with Queensland Cricket in turmoil

However doubt was cast on whether he'll even be picked when Queensland Cricket's head of elite cricket Joe Dawes made some explosive comments. “Our medical staff said all the way through he has been available for selection,’’ Dawes said in regards to the injury issues. “That is my understanding from Cricket Australia staff as well. No hamstring issues as far as we are concerned.

“I go off our medical staff and there is no reason why he could not have played the last game. It’s just disappointing he didn’t play a game for Queensland when he had an opportunity to. I have got a bunch of blokes here that all want to play.

“I think we are disappointed he did not play the game against South Australia. That’s the decision he made and he has communicated some of the reasons for that in the public. Hopefully he will make that decision to make himself available for next week and we will make that decision on Friday."

Broadcaster Zane Bojack had previously called for Queensland not to allow Khawaja to walk back into the team if they made the decider. "If Queensland qualify for the Sheffield Shield final this weekend WITHOUT Usman Khawaja, he shouldn’t be parachuted straight back in just because he’s a TEST player," Bojack wrote. "He’s shown limited interest in playing for the Bulls since losing the captaincy."

Proud Queenslander Ian Healy said Cricket Australia "should be aghast" that someone of Khawaja's stature chose not to play such a crucial game in their first-class competition. Healy said on SEN radio: "To Cricket Australia - your contracted player doesn't play your long-standing competition. Our cricket needs to be built on integrity, skill and 'ticker', not absence."

Scott Boland and Victoria miss out in cruel fashion

Meanwhile, Scott Boland was cruelly denied a chance to play in the Shield final, with Victoria's stunning win over Western Australia on Tuesday night not enough to get them there. Queensland's draw with SA on Tuesday was enough to secure them the points they needed to make the final, which will be a replay of the same fixture.

Coming into the final round of the regular season, the only team out of contention to make the final was Tasmania. Victoria and Western Australia both had a chance depending on how the other results went, but Queensland's draw with SA meant Victoria could no longer make it. Western Australia still had a chance if they could beat the Vics, but they fell 35 runs short in a thrilling final session on Tuesday night.

Set 382 runs for victory on day four at the WACA, the home side got agonisingly close to a miracle victory when Hilton Cartwright (79) top-scored and Joel Paris (45) led a gallant fightback in the tail. But playing what was likely to be his final Sheffield Shield match, veteran quick Peter Siddle denied WA the win when No.10 Corey Rocchiccioli (20) was caught in the third-last over of the day.

Campbell Kellaway took a spectacular catch in the outfield to grab the ninth wicket, but Victoria's stunning win ultimately counted for nothing. It means Boland, who missed the game due to a knee injury, has been denied the chance to play in the final and push his case even further for a recall to Australia's Test team.

Queensland secured their place in the final when South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney and Bulls skipper Marnus Labuschagne shook hands on the afternoon of day four when it became clear a result wasn't possible. The Redbacks made 614 in their first innings and finished 5-252 in their second dig when time ran out.