'Drawing a long bow': Cricket Australia boss defends Usman Khawaja over golf appearance
Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has defended Usman Khawaja's decision to play golf ahead of the first Test after the drama around his back spasms.
Khawaja was off the field for too long before Australia's first innings and couldn't open. He then couldn't come in at No.3 either after Jake Weatherald was gone for a second ball duck.
The veteran skipped Australia's optional session on Thursday and played golf with teammates instead, which has brought scrutiny.
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He looked unaffected in the field for Australia on day two and managed to catch Harry Brook at first slip.
Greenberg believes critics are "drawing a long bow" when correlating the injury with his golf appearance.
Usman Khawaja during the first Test. Getty
"It's held him in good stead over the last couple of years," Greenberg said on SEN.
"It's not uncommon for a lot of them to play golf day prior. A lot of people talk about cricket being played between the ears, and so getting some time away from being in your hotel or training, I think is really important.
"I noticed Mitch Starc played golf with him, so it certainly didn't impact his performance. Did that correlate to any of the issues? I personally don't think so.
"I think Usman's a very seasoned campaigner. He knows his body well, and he knows how to get himself prepared for cricket, and he's done it over a long period of time. So I think that's drawing a long bow."
Usman Khawaja batting on day one. Getty
Australia has long had a very individualised approach to preparing for matches under Andrew McDonald and Pat Cummins.
Greenberg added that attitude has proved fruitful over time.
"That's exactly how Andrew McDonald and the team have functioned over a long period of time and they've been very successful with that ... ultimately you get held accountable for your own performances. I think that's mature," he said.
