Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has defended Usman Khawaja, stating that it’s drawing an extended bow to recommend his choice to play golf earlier than the Check match contributed to the again spasms he suffered on the opening day in Perth. The 38-year-old batter got here below scrutiny after again spasms compelled him from the sphere late in England’s temporary first innings on Friday, November 21.
His absence got here at an unlucky time, as England collapsed whereas Khawaja was off the sphere making an attempt to stretch out the spasm. Stand-in captain Steven Smith even referred to as for Khawaja to return. Though the left-handed opener did ultimately come again for the tip of the innings, ICC laws required him to stay off the sphere for a interval equal to the time he spent off, rendering him ineligible to open the batting.
In consequence, Marnus Labuschagne was pushed as much as open, with Smith transferring to No. 3. Khawaja ultimately batted at No. 4 however was dismissed for simply two runs. On day two, he fielded for all 15 overs Australia bowled earlier than lunch and appeared untroubled. Cricket Australia confirmed it was a brand new damage and never one thing he had skilled earlier within the week.
Khawaja had performed golf on each Tuesday and Wednesday round Australia’s coaching periods. He additionally skipped Thursday’s elective coaching session, attended by solely 4 members of the ultimate line-up, to play golf alongside Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Plenty of Australia’s teaching workers additionally performed later within the afternoon after the coaching session. Greenberg, himself an avid golfer, dismissed any suggestion that Khawaja’s golf exercise contributed to the problem, reiterating that there was no correlation between the 2.
“[Golf] has held him in good stead during the last couple of years. It is not unusual for lots of them to play golf a day prior. Did that correlate to any of the problems? I personally do not assume so. Usman’s a really seasoned campaigner, he is aware of his physique nicely, and he is aware of tips on how to get himself ready for cricket. So I feel that’s drawing an extended bow,” Greenberg was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
“Lots of people speak about cricket being performed between the ears. So getting a while away from being in your resort or at coaching I feel is de facto vital. I observed Mitch Starc performed golf with him, so it definitely did not influence his efficiency,” he added.
Golf is an integral a part of Australia’s crew tradition, very like it’s for his or her opponents England. Either side frequently play within the lead-up to Check matches, whether or not at residence or abroad. Earlier this 12 months, the whole Australian squad even launched into a bonding journey to northern Scotland, the place they spent every week enjoying golf earlier than the World Check Championship last, which they finally misplaced to South Africa.
Cricket Australia’s medical and energy and conditioning workers have lengthy permitted golf as an acceptable exercise for gamers, significantly quick bowlers, viewing it as a low-impact option to keep on their toes whereas additionally providing helpful psychological aid from the calls for of cricket coaching and competitors.
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