'We support him': Pat Cummins backs Usman Khawaja's silent protest despite backlash from ex-Test cricketers
UPDATED: Australian captain Pat Cummins has revealed why Usman Khawaja won't be playing with a pro-Palestine message on his footwear for the first Test against Pakistan.
Cummins confirmed the ICC had drawn attention to rules that prohibit the display of personal messages, after Cricket Australia released a statement on Wednesday denying Khawaja's opportunity to wear the shoes.
"(They) drew the attention to the ICC rules which I don't know if Uzzy was across beforehand ... Uzzy doesn't want to create too big of a fuss," he said.
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Despite Khawaja's inability to display the messages that state 'freedom is a human right' and 'all lives are equal', Cummins backed his teammates message around ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Usman Khawaja pictured in action for Australia during the 2023 Ashes series Clive Mason via Getty Images
"His shoes had 'all lives are equal', I don't think that's very divisive, I don't think anyone can have too many complaints to that," he said.
Before clarifying the circumstances around Khawaja not being able to sport the message, Cummins defined the opener's "passionate views" as one of the strengths of his side.
"I think it's one our strongest points, our team, that everyone has their own passionate views and individual thoughts," he said.
"I chatted to Uzzy briefly about it today. I don't think his intention is to make too big of a fuss but we support him."
Cummins was also asked how the act compared to his side previously taking a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, indicating the difference lay between ICC regulations.
Usman Khawaja has the full support of Pat Cummins and the rest of his Australian teammates Stu Forster via Getty Images
"I haven't really thought about that, I know the ICC rules are quite specific to writing," he said.
Khawaja's act has split opinions in the sporting world with former Australian all-rounder Simon O'Donnell coming down hard.
O'Donnell, who played six Tests for Australia, condemned Khawaja's planned silent protest.
"I fully respect Usman Khawaja's beliefs personally … he should be able to state his beliefs on his own platform," he told SEN.
"But while he's representing Australia he has no right, nil, zero, to bring his personal beliefs and instill those onto others."
Usman Khawaja was pictured with a pro-Palestine message on his shoes during training on Tuesday Getty
O'Donnell's view echoed that of former Australian paceman Rodney Hogg.
"We the public of Australia want to see our players playing for Australia and not making political statements," Hogg wrote in a statement on his Facebook account.
"Cricket Australia review their contracts otherwise they will turn supporters away from the game."
Khawaja, a proud Muslim man, has been outspoken on the Israel-Palestine conflict on his personal social media accounts in recent weeks.
The 36-year-old opener's plans for a silent protest were strongly backed by Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells.
"As Federal Sport Minister I have always advocated for athletes having the right to a voice and to speak up on matters important to them," she said.
Khawaja, a proud Muslim man, has been deeply impacted by the Israel-Palestine conflict Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
"Usman Khawaja is a great athlete and a great Australian. He should have every right to speak up on matters that are important to him.
"He has done so in a peaceful and respectful way. He has done so as an individual and expressed an individual opinion that does not compromise the Australian cricket team's obligations to the ICC."
It remains to be seen whether Khawaja will be allowed to display the messages on his shoes, with the ICC historically frowning upon players promoting political messages.
In 2014, the England all-rounder Moeen Ali was asked to remove wristbands with the phrases "Save Gaza" and "Free Palestine" during a Test match against India, of which former Aussie opener David Boon was match referee.
