Australia opener Usman Khawaja is once again in the news. The veteran batsman, on Saturday, was forced to remove the dove sticker from his bat, during the first Test against New Zealand, when he asked for a replacement. On the third day of the match, Khawaja, while batting cracked his bat with substitute Matt Renshaw getting him another one from his bag.
But the southpaw had to to peel off the sticker, before starting his innings again.
Why Usman Khawaja Had to Remove the Dove Sticker
In the last series against Pakistan, the ICC had rejected his plea to sport a dove holding an olive branch on his bat or on his shoe. The symbol specifically was to raise his concern over the situation in Gaza. But the ICC called it a ‘political protest’. But Khawaja has continued to use the sticker on his bat during training.
In fact, he was also asked to remove the slogan. ‘All lives are equal’ from his shoe, before the start of the Pakistan series.
New Zealand vs Australia, First Test
As far as the New Zealand vs Australia Test is concerned, the visitors are in firm control of the match. In the second innings, even though the Kiwis made a comeback by bundling out Australia for 164, but they will still have to chase down 369 runs, which won’t be an easy task. All-rounder Glenn Philipps bagged his maiden fifer in Tests to get his team back in the match.
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