Test Match Special The Ashes: Khawaja calls it a day and calls out "racial stereotyping"
Jan 2, 2026
Usman Khawaja, the Australian Test cricketer, shares his emotional journey as he announces his retirement, highlighting his experiences with racial stereotyping in cricket. He criticizes media scrutiny and discusses the personal impact of being an Australian Muslim. Bharat Sundaresan provides insightful analysis on Khawaja's brave remarks and the deeper issues of diversity in the sport, while Melinda Farrell emphasizes the need for structural change within Australian cricket to confront racism. Together, they paint a vivid picture of the challenges and hopes for future inclusivity.
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Media Attacks Echo Racial Stereotypes
- Usman Khawaja described being attacked by media and former players after he suffered back spasms during the series.
- He said those attacks echoed lifelong racial stereotypes and felt deeply personal and unfair.
Double Standards Over Injuries
- Khawaja contrasted how other players' off-field behaviours are ignored while he was criticised for uncontrollable injury.
- He said attacks questioned his credibility and who he is, not just his performance.
Outspokenness Increased Scrutiny
- Khawaja linked criticism to his public stances on political and social issues like Palestinian rights and anti-Islamophobia.
- He acknowledged his outspokenness makes him an easy target but insisted he'll keep speaking up.