Australia stand-in captain Steve Smith refused to comment on Usman Khawaja’s remarks about being treated indifferently and experiencing racial stereotyping, but he did call out critics who targeted him after the first Ashes Test, when he suffered back spasms.
On Friday, Khawaja announced that he will retire after the upcoming fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. In doing so, he also reflected on his career, discussed the difficulties he faced rising through the ranks, and made some stirring remarks.
“I’m not going into the mind of Usman Khawaja. He’s had a great career,” Smith said. “In terms of preparation, I think he’s always prepared the same way. He’s worked hard. Some of the stuff about him getting injured after playing golf the day before a game was unfair. He’s done that for 15 years and had a pretty good career. On the odd occasion where he prepared the same way and got injured, it’s unfair to single that out. As for the rest of it, I can’t really say too much — those are Usman’s views.”
Regarding his own career, Smith made it clear that he has no plans to hang up his boots anytime soon, as he is still enjoying playing at the top level.
“I think with Usman dropping off now as one of our experienced players, it probably wouldn’t be ideal if he and I went out this week, for instance,” he said. “So, no, I want to keep playing, and don’t read into that too much. I’m still playing, and I’m enjoying it.”
Smith will lead Australia in the Ashes final at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which will also mark the end of Khawaja’s 15-year career.
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