Australia’s test opener Usman Khawaja has opted not to play for Queensland in the upcoming Sheffield Shield match against South Australia in a must-win game which could secure their spot in the finals.
Khawaja was not named in Queensland’s 14-member squad after the selectors mentioned that he was unavailable.
Queensland Cricket accepted Khawaja’s decision with captain Marnus Labuschagne returning to the lead the side being away with Australia’s ODI team at the Champions Trophy.
Khawaja has been in fine form this season with match winning scored of 127 and 33* against Tasmania, has made the choice to priortize his mental and physical well-being.
Marnus returns to the squad for our crucial clash against South Australia this Saturday.#MaroonGrown #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/hWkupOCEdG
— Queensland Cricket (@qldcricket) March 12, 2025
It is known that Usman Khawaja will fly from Brisbane to Melbourne to attend the Australia Formula 1 Grand Prix over the weekend. Khawaja ongoing strategy to manage his workload, as the 38 year old is aiming to maintain his freshness for the long season ahead.
Khawaja intends to rest during the months of April and May before preparing for the upcoming four test matches in June and July, which includes the World Test Championship final against South Africa.
He won’t have any international commitments thereafter until the Ashes begin in late November.
Meanwhile, Xavier Bartlett is unavailable as he heads off to join the Punjab Kings for the IPL, with Travis Head, Jake Fraser McGurk and Spencer Johnson are also unavailable for South Australia for the remainder of the season.
Victoria’s pacer Scott Boland has been ruled out of their clash against Western Australia at the WACA Ground.
Queensland Squad vs South Australia: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne, Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Jackson Sinfield, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Jack Wildermuth
