Australian batter and one of many casualties of the notorious ‘homeworkgate’ saga through the 2013 collection in India, Usman Khawaja, has castigated the crew administration on that tour, saying “their priorities were a bit wrong”, and the aspect was extra apprehensive about ticking bins than truly doing nicely within the collection. Following two heavy defeats to India at Chennai and Hyderabad, Khawaja was trying ahead to his debut within the third Test at Mohali when he was summoned for a gathering with then-captain Michael Clarke, coach Mickey Arthur and crew supervisor Gavin Dovey.
The Pakistan-born cricketer, then 26, together with three others — James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson — was suspended for one match for not submitting a ‘homework’ assigned by the coach.
The gamers have been assigned to provide in writing solutions to queries on methods to enhance the crew’s efficiency, and the 4 didn’t submit their replies in time.
Recalling the episode on the eve of the primary Test at Nagpur, Khawaja mentioned, “Our priorities at the time were a bit wrong. We were more worried about the box-ticking stuff for players, rather than actually ‘hey, are we a skilful team’.” The cricketer, who has since cemented his place within the Test aspect, mentioned it had left a bitter style in his mouth and he by no means wished to be part of the Australian dressing room.
With Khawaja set to play his first Test in India after coming so shut in 2013, he says at that cut-off date, coach Arthur was attempting to prioritise every part aside from being higher rivals on the sector.
“All the coaching and support staff with Mickey (Arthur) at the top were trying to concentrate on all the other things, but that wasn’t the reason we were losing,” Khawaja instructed ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ on Wednesday.
He added that at the moment, India have been extra skilful than Australia, which is why the guests misplaced all 4 Tests within the collection.
“At that point, we weren’t a more skilful team than India, and that’s why we lost. We didn’t lose because we weren’t fitter than them, we didn’t lose because we weren’t a better fielding side than them, we were just not as skilful as they (India) were.” Khawaja mentioned following the incident, the sensation he received contained in the dressing room was that he was an “outsider”.
“It was already tough enough for a new guy to fit in the team. And when something like this happens, it just made you feel like you were more of an outsider.” Khawaja mentioned that he wasn’t certain he wished to be in the identical atmosphere when he returned to the aspect. But he has steeled himself ever since and emerged a much more stronger cricketer.
“When I came back, I really wasn’t sure whether I wanted to be in that environment again, because the environment wasn’t fun. But whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so you’re always better off for it at some level,” he added.
The prolific middle-order batter then promised himself he is not going to let his happiness be dictated by the sport.
“I made a pact with myself that I refused to let my happiness in my life just be dictated by cricket. That early stage, 10 years ago almost now, I said back then I’m not going to let them dictate my happiness, there’s more to life than cricket.
“I’m going to coach, do every part I can to change into a greater participant, however in the long run the outcomes of the sport aren’t going to dictate whether or not I’m pleased or not. I feel that is the place it began.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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