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Usman Khawaja Retires, Slams Racial Stereotypes in Australian Cricket

Usman Khawaja has confirmed his international retirement following the Sydney Ashes Test. The veteran opener used his farewell press conference to condemn the racial stereotyping and different treatment he has faced throughout his career. He highlighted a specific incident where he was heavily criticized for playing golf before an Ashes Test, while other players engaging in similar activities faced no scrutiny. Khawaja expressed frustration that deep-seated stereotypes about commitment and work ethic continue to affect how he is perceived.

Key Points: Khawaja Slams Racial Stereotyping in Cricket Career

  • Confirms international retirement
  • Slams racial stereotyping by media
  • Highlights double standards in criticism
  • First Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia
3 min read

"I'm a coloured cricketer": Usman Khawaja slams racial stereotyping

Usman Khawaja opens up on facing racial stereotypes and different treatment throughout his career as he confirms his international retirement.

"I'm a coloured cricketer... I've always felt a little bit different. - Usman Khawaja"

Sydney, January 2

Usman Khawaja, who has confirmed his international retirement after the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney against England, opened up about facing criticism after suffering a back injury at the start of the Ashes series, according to ESPNcricinfo.

The veteran cricketer slammed "racial stereotypes" for being treated differently from other Australian players across his entire career.

The 39-year-old Khawaja will enter his last Test with 87 matches and 6206 runs, including 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries. He has an average of 43.39 in 157 innings.

The veteran cricketer confirmed his international retirement during a 50-minute press conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

During the emotional press conference, Khawaja opened up about receiving criticism for playing three days of golf ahead of the Ashes opener in Perth, where he suffered back spasms and was forced not to open the batting for Australia in the second innings.

Khawaja, the first Muslim to play Test cricket for Australia, said he has faced criticism throughout his career.

"I've always felt a little bit different, even to now. I'm a coloured cricketer. The Australian cricket team is, in my opinion ... that's our best team. It's our pride and joy. But I've also felt very different in a lot of respects, different by the way I've been treated, different for how things have happened. I had back spasms, and that's something I couldn't control. But the way the media and the past players came out and attacked me, I could have copped it for two days, but I copped it for about five days straight. And it wasn't even about my performances," Khawaja said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"It was about something very personal, it's about my preparation. And the way everyone came at me about my preparation, it was quite personal in terms of things like, he's not committed to the team, he was only worried about himself, he played this golf comp the day before, he's selfish, he doesn't train hard enough, he didn't train with them the day before the game, he's lazy. These are the same stereotypes, the racial stereotypes I've grown up with my whole life. I just thought that the media and the old players and everyone else had moved past it, but we obviously haven't fully moved past it, because I've never seen anyone been treated like that in the Australian cricket team before," the 39-year-old added.

The 39-year-old Australian cricketer revealed getting frustrated because of facing criticism daily, citing examples of players who have not received the same level of criticism, who play golf and got injured.

"There's still a little bit out there, which I still have to fight every single day, which is the frustrating thing for me," Khawaja said. "I can give you countless number of guys who play golf the day before and have been injured. You guys haven't said a thing. No one else said a thing.

"I can give you even more probably guys who've had 15 schooners the night before and then got injured. No one said a word. That's all right. They're just being Aussie larrikins, right? They're just being lads. So for me, that was the frustrating part. But when I get injured, everyone went at my credibility and who I am as a person," he added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As an Australian living in India, this hits close to home. The double standard he points out is glaring. "Aussie larrikins" get a pass, but he's scrutinized. Sport should be about talent, not background. More power to him for speaking up.
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Vikram M
Respect for Khawaja. He carried himself with dignity throughout his career. In India, we understand this struggle too well – being judged for things beyond your control. Hope his retirement is peaceful and his voice leads to change.
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Rohit P
While I sympathize with his experience, I feel the media scrutiny on any player's preparation before a big series like the Ashes is intense. Maybe it was disproportionate in his case, but criticism isn't always racially motivated. Just a thought.
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Priya S
Heartbreaking. "Lazy", "not committed" – these are such loaded, harmful stereotypes. He broke barriers as the first Muslim Test player for Australia and this is the treatment he gets? Shameful. Wishing him all the best for his next chapter. ❤️
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Michael C
His point about other players having "15 schooners" is so telling. The old boys' club protects its own. Khawaja's career average is fantastic. He deserved better from the media and former players. A legend of the game.

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