Steve Smith extends support to Usman Khawaja, says criticism during Perth Test was ‘unfair’

While Smith chose not to be drawn into commenting on Khawaja speaking about feeling discriminated against on the basis of his identity, he concurred that some of the criticism that came at that point was unfair. (AP Photo)

Australia captain Steve Smith has said that he supports Usman Khawaja’s stand on the criticism the latter received for his preparation for the first Test of the ongoing Ashes in Perth. Khawaja said in a lengthy, and rather fiery, press conference, in which he also announced that he will retire after the upcoming the fifth Ashes Test,  that he felt he was unfairly picked on and that the criticism that came his way for not being able to play in Perth at the start of the series had racist connotations.

Khawaja mentioned the the media and former players pointing out that him playing golf didn’t help him prepare for the Perth Test. While Smith chose not to be drawn into commenting on Khawaja speaking about feeling discriminated against on the basis of his identity, he concurred that some of the criticism that came at that point was unfair. “I’m not going into the mind of Usman Khawaja. He’s had a great career,” Smith said in a press conference. “In terms of preparation, I think he’s always prepared the same way. He’s worked hard. Some of the stuff around him getting injured when he played golf the day before the game, that was unfair.

“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. To the rest of it, I can’t really say too much on that, that’s Usman’s views.”

Smith congratulated Khawaja for a “wonderful career”. “I remember playing against him in a couple of Under-17 versus Under-19 games for New South Wales and watching him bat,” Smith said. “The way he pulled the ball, I was like, this guy picks length up quicker than anyone I’ve seen. He was pulling balls off the top of the stumps. I feel like throughout his career, he’s been batting his best when he’s been doing that as well. And just his progression over a long period of time has been outstanding.”