Usman Khawaja's Radio Interview Refusal: Australian Batter's Stance Linked to Palestine Issue and Support.
  • 661 views
  • 2 min read

Usman Khawaja, the Australian opening batter, has found himself in the midst of a controversy after refusing a radio interview following the first day of the Test match against the West Indies in Barbados. Reports indicate that Khawaja's decision was a deliberate act of protest against the radio broadcaster, SEN, for their dismissal of journalist Peter Lalor earlier this year. Lalor was reportedly sacked due to his pro-Palestine stance and social media activity concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Khawaja's refusal occurred after the day's play when he was approached by the team's media manager, Cole Hitchcock, regarding a pre-recorded interview with SEN commentators Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan. Upon realizing the interview was for SEN, Khawaja politely declined.

This isn't the first time Khawaja has publicly expressed his views on the matter. He was a vocal supporter of Peter Lalor after his dismissal. In February, Khawaja took to Instagram to defend Lalor, stating, "Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions. It has everything to do with justice and human rights. Unfortunately, hatred towards the Jewish and Muslim community will always exist. Pete is a good guy with a good heart. He deserves better."

The journalist at the centre of the controversy, Peter Lalor, who is currently covering the West Indies-Australia Test series for the Cricket Et Al podcast, expressed his gratitude for Khawaja's continued support. "Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate," Lalor stated.

SEN's owner, Craig Hutchison, stated that Lalor's social media messaging was distressing to Jewish Australians. According to reports, the messages included Gaza-related content and retweets of memes featuring Nazi-related imagery that was unrelated to the conflict in Gaza, among other things.

Usman Khawaja's activism isn't limited to this instance. In 2023, he clashed with the International Cricket Council (ICC) when he attempted to display peace symbols on his boots and bat during a Test match against Pakistan. Though the ICC rejected his request, Khawaja wore a black armband during the match to show solidarity with the Palestinian people. At the time, he stated that he would respect the ICC's decision but would continue to fight for approval.

Khawaja's stance has drawn both support and criticism. While some, like former Australian player Simon O'Donnell, believe that representing Australia means setting aside personal beliefs, others, including Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, have defended Khawaja's right to speak out on issues important to him.

It remains unlikely that Cricket Australia will take disciplinary action against Khawaja for declining the interview, as players generally have the right to decline interviews during and after games.


Writer - Isha Sharma
Passionate about culture, society, and sports, Isha brings a fresh, insightful perspective to her early journalism. She's keen on exploring her city's evolving cultural landscape, covering local arts, music, and community events. Isha is developing an engaging, informative writing style to capture artistic vibrancy and diversity. She's also interested in how cultural trends reflect and influence broader social dynamics, alongside her enthusiasm for the world of sports.
Advertisement

Latest Post


World  |  Aug 18, 2025
Tragedy struck in the Gharota area on the outskirts of Jammu on Sunday evening as an eight-year-old boy was fatally crushed by a speeding SUV. The young victim, Harsh Singh, was returning home with his father from their agricultural field when the in...

Sports  |  Aug 18, 2025
Lamine Yamal is stepping into the spotlight at Barcelona, embracing the pressure that comes with joining a club steeped in history and কিংবদন্তি. The young player, who Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has called "touched by the wand of God," has been ha...

Technology  |  Aug 18, 2025
Ethereum (ETH) is currently navigating a critical juncture, with analysts closely observing price movements for signals of a potential retest of $3. 9K followed by a substantial rally. Recent market behavior shows ETH consolidating within a $3,900 to ...

World  |  Aug 18, 2025
Parliamentary proceedings have addressed key issues ranging from digital payment policies to skill development initiatives for adolescent girls. Here's a summary of the important updates: **No Transaction Charges on UPI Payments** The government ha...

Advertisement
World  |  Aug 18, 2025
On Monday, August 18, 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin contacted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide a briefing on his recent summit with U. S. President Donald Trump in Alaska. The call, which was initiated by Putin, aimed to share i...

World  |  Aug 18, 2025
The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging the validity of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, effectively upholding the Bombay High Court's previous decision. The petition, filed by Chetan Chandrakant Ahire, alleged that approximate...

World  |  Aug 18, 2025
The Income Tax Department is intensifying its investigation into US-based investor Jane Street's Indian operations, seeking clarity on the firm's control and potential tax avoidance. This probe follows a Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) ...

Sports  |  Aug 18, 2025
The Premier League is back, with Leeds United hosting Everton at Elland Road to wrap up Matchweek 1 of the 2025-26 season. After a two-season absence, Leeds returns to the Premier League after winning the EFL Championship last season. Everton finishe...

Advertisement

About   •   Terms   •   Privacy
© 2025 DailyDigest360