The Dark Knight wrote:https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/tension-between-khawaja-and-queensland-builds-ahead-of-sheffield-shield-final-1477388There is tension between Test batter Usman Khawaja and Queensland Cricket ahead of next week's Sheffield Shield final, but he is likely to be named in an extended squad for the final on Friday with a decision on whether he plays or not to come ahead of the game starting next Wednesday.
Khawaja, 38, and Queensland Cricket are at odds over his absence from the last Shield game of the season against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval, where Queensland secured a draw which qualified them for the final against South Australia at the same venue.
Queensland Cricket general manager Joe Dawes made strong comments on Wednesday suggesting that Khawaja was not injured and insisted Queensland's medical staff had declared him available for selection.
"That is my understanding from Cricket Australia staff as well. No hamstring issues as far as we are concerned," Dawes told reporters at Brisbane Airport on Wednesday.
"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.''
Khawaja has already played 11 first-class matches this summer including seven Tests, meaning he has already played more games and days than any Australian domestic red-ball-only batter would play in a Shield summer in total. The 38-year-old has managed his schedule carefully in recent years, valuing rest over playing a lot of back-to-back games in order to remain mentally and physically fresh for his Test commitments as he attempts to extend his career as long as possible.
I've just taken a few snippets from the article and that last paragraph peaked my interest with Khawaja playing more red ball cricket than any other batter during the 24/25 season plus with him being 38, having a young family and participating in Ramadan I think people just need to take that all into consideration (irrespective whether he's injured or not) before criticising his decision to opt out of Queensland's last match and just appreciate what's he done for Australia since coming back into the team and becoming an incumbent opener.
I wonder if he gets paid per game?
