Steve Smith extends support to Usman Khawaja, says criticism during Perth Test was ‘unfair’ | Cricket News
Australia captain Steve Smith has said that he supports Usman Khawaja’s stand on the criticism the latter received for his preparation for the first Test of the ongoing Ashes in Perth. Khawaja said in a lengthy, and rather fiery, press conference, in which he also announced that he will retire after the upcoming the fifth Ashes Test, that he felt he was unfairly picked on and that the criticism that came his way for not being able to play in Perth at the start of the series had racist connotations. Khawaja mentioned the the media and former players pointing out that him playing golf didn’t help him prepare for the Perth Test. While Smith chose not to be drawn into commenting on Khawaja speaking about feeling discriminated against on the basis of his identity, he concurred that some of the criticism that came at that point was unfair. “I’m not going into the mind of Usman Khawaja. He’s had a great career,” Smith said in a press conference. “In terms of preparation, I think he’s …
