Usman Khawaja refused an interview with Australian sports radio station SEN after the first day’s play of the first Test against West Indies in Barbados, according to media reports.
The Guardian and Sydney Morning Herald reporters at the game linked Khawaja’s decision to the sacking four months ago of journalist Peter Lalor due to his outspoken support of Palestinians.
Khawaja has also been vocal in protesting the violence in Gaza, which has led to tens of thousands of civilian deaths, in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in 2023.
Khawaja clashed with the ICC in 2023 after his attempts to wear peace symbols on his boots and bat in a Test against Paksitan were rejected.
He backed Lalor earlier this year when the former chief cricket writer of The Australian was sacked by SEN for his pro-Palestinian messages on social media.
Australian cricket player Usman Khawaja speaks to the media during the 2023/24 NRMA Insurance Test Series Launch at Optus Stadium on December 11, 2023 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images for Cricket Australia)
SEN owner Craig Hutchison said Lalor’s social media messaging was distressing to Jewish Australians.
“At the start of the series, near and overlapping the series, some of his recent republication on social media platform X offended some of our audience,” Hutchison said.
“That ranged from Gaza-related content but also retweets of memes featuring Nazi-related imagery that was unrelated to the conflict in Gaza, and some other things.
“On the eve of the Test, we got some feedback from the audience.”
Lalor rejected the claims of Nazi-related imagery.
“I have friends who are frightened and have heard the fear in their voices during conversations. It is an awful situation. But so is Gaza,” wrote Lalor.
Khawaja supported Lalor at the time, saying: “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.”
On Thursday, Khawaja was directed at the close of play towards SEN reporters Bharat Sundaresan and Adam Collins by CA’s media manager.
The batsman saw the SEN branding, raised his hand and walked away, reporters said.
Neither CA nor Khawaja confirmed the cause of Khawaja’s rejection.
Lalor, who is reporting on the tour, said that “Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate”.
