Jason Gillespie has hit again onerous at Usman Khawaja’s claims that racism was a motivating issue within the criticism he copped from former gamers and the media earlier within the Ashes collection.
The previous Australian quick bowler, the primary Indigenous man to characterize the Check crew, mentioned Khawaja deserved to be scrutinised after he performed golf on the day earlier than the opening match of the Ashes after which was unable to subject because of a again drawback.
“I respect Usman and have actually loved his profession, love how he speaks his thoughts,” Gillespie wrote on X.
“I felt the questions re his preparation earlier than Perth (the place he performed lots of golf and ended up with again spasms) had been authentic.
“England have been questioned about their prep too.”
Gillespie added to his social media submit with feedback on ABC Radio the place he questioned Khawaja’s narrative across the media suggesting he has been lazy all through his profession.
“I feel the media on this area have been very constant all through this Ashes collection,” he mentioned.
“They’ve constantly questioned the preparation of the England facet. I don’t see how that’s been any completely different.
“Usman additionally referenced that he’s been referred to as lazy his entire life.
“I haven’t seen something within the media that’s been mentioned or written by anybody that’s referenced Usman being lazy, so I’m unsure the place that’s come from.”
Gillespie mentioned the retiring batter shouldn’t have thrown a “mood tantrum” in asserting the SCG Check can be the final of his profession.
“I’m not questioning the racism that Usman has confronted all through his life,” he mentioned.
“I’ve truly all the time admired him and applauded him for talking up as a result of racism is an enormous stain on our society. It all the time must be referred to as out.
“He referenced racism when he was speaking about criticism that he obtained.
Jason Gillespie (Photograph by Jason McCawley/Getty Pictures)
“A couple of former gamers got here out and fairly rightly questioned whether or not (golf) was the very best preparation.
“Being questioned over that and being held to account over your decisions – that’s not bullying, it’s not abuse, that’s all half and parcel of being knowledgeable.
“You may’t actually throw a mood tantrum when requested to take accountability for the job you’re truly paid to do.”
Earlier on Saturday, stand-in skipper Steve Smith defended Khawaja over the golf saga.
“He’s had an awesome profession. When it comes to preparation, I feel he’s all the time ready the identical approach. He’s labored onerous and I feel a few of the stuff round him getting injured when he performed golf the day earlier than the (Perth) sport, that was unfair,” he mentioned.
“I feel he’s completed that for 15 years and had a reasonably good profession. On an odd event the place he ready the identical approach he obtained injured, it’s fairly unfair to single that out.”
