Australia batsman and Ashes stand-in captain Steve Smith has backed Usman Khawaja over criticism surrounding the injury setback earlier in the series, calling the scrutiny over the build-up to the opener “unfair”. Smith’s comments came in the wake of Khawaja’s emotionally charged retirement press conference where the veteran opener spoke at length about the identity, perception and treatment he felt he faced during his international career.
Khawaja announced his retirement from international cricket to conclude the ongoing Ashes, which ends with the New Year’s Test in his hometown starting on January 4. During a 50-minute interaction with reporters on Friday, Khawaja shifted focus away from runs and records, instead addressing what described the years when he was treated differently in Australian cricket, including confronting racial stereotypes and the political backlash associated with his outspoken views.
Smith, who is captaining Australia in the absence of regular skipper Pat Cummins, chose not to comment on the wider issues raised by Khawaja, but strongly defended his team-mate over the controversy that erupted at the start of the series. Khawaja suffered back spasms before the opening Test in Perth, ruling him out of the match, a setback that drew unusually harsh criticism from sections of the media and former players.
“I’m not going to think about Usman Khawaj. 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 things around him getting injured when he played golf the day before the game, it was unfair,” he added.
Smith pointed out that Khawaja had followed the same routines throughout his career without issue and felt it was unwise to single him out when the injury finally struck.
“I think he did it for 15 years and had a pretty good career,” Smith added.
“On the odd occasion he prepared in the same way he got injured, it’s quite unfair to single that out. I can’t say too much about the rest, that’s Usman’s opinion.”
Khawaja, meanwhile, said the reaction to his injury had crossed the line from normal sports analysis to personal attacks. He argued that labels such as “lazy” or “selfish” were rooted in racial stereotypes and did not apply to others in similar situations. As Australia push towards the end of the Ashes series, Smith’s defense underlined the strong support Khawaja continues to have in the dressing room, even as the opener prepares to retire from the international scene.
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Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
January 3, 2026
