Australian cricket captain Steve Smith has publicly thrown his support behind teammate Usman Khawaja, stating that the criticism directed at the veteran batter ahead of the first Ashes Test in Perth was "unfair." This comes after Khawaja himself made strong remarks about feeling singled out and suggested the scrutiny had racial undertones.
Khawaja's Fiery Retirement Press Conference
The controversy stems from the lead-up to the opening Test of the ongoing Ashes series. Usman Khawaja was ruled out of the Perth Test due to injury. In a lengthy and emotional press conference on January 3, 2026, where he also announced his retirement after the upcoming fifth Test, Khawaja expressed his frustration. He felt he was "unfairly picked on" and that the media and former players focused excessively on his preparation, notably mentioning him playing golf. Khawaja indicated that this criticism carried racist connotations related to his identity.
Smith's Stance on the Preparation Criticism
While Steve Smith chose not to comment directly on Khawaja's feelings of discrimination, he firmly agreed that the specific criticism about his preparation was unjust. "Some of the stuff around him getting injured when he played golf the day before the game, that was unfair," Smith stated in a press conference. He defended Khawaja's long-standing methods, pointing out that the batter had prepared the same way for his entire 15-year career with great success. Smith argued it was unreasonable to single out one isolated incident where injury occurred despite a consistent routine.
"I think he's done that for 15 years and had a pretty good career. On an odd occasion where he prepared the same way he got injured, it's pretty unfair to single that out," the Australian captain added.
A Tribute to a Stellar Career
Beyond the immediate controversy, Smith took the opportunity to congratulate Khawaja on a "wonderful career." He reminisced about first seeing Khawaja bat in youth matches, marveling at his exceptional skill. "The way he pulled the ball, I was like, this guy picks length up quicker than anyone I've seen," Smith recalled. He praised Khawaja's progression and longevity at the highest level of the sport, highlighting that the left-hander was at his best when playing his natural, attacking game.
This public show of support from the captain adds a significant layer to the discussion around player welfare, media scrutiny, and the pressures faced by athletes, particularly those from diverse backgrounds. As the Ashes series continues, the focus now shifts to Khawaja's final Test match, where he will look to end a distinguished career on a high note.
