Australian captain Pat Cummins has confirmed that opener Usman Khawaja will not wear shoes supporting Palestine during the 1st Test against Pakistan in Perth, starting on December 14th. The 30-year-old confirmed the development during the pre-game press conference on Wednesday as controversy threatened to mare the 1st Test of the Australian summer.
The 36-year-old risked being stopped from taking the field should he wore the shoes identical to the one during the training session on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the left-handed opener was spotted wearing shoes with slogans, 'Freedom is a human right' and 'All lives are equal'. However, a match referee has the right to prohibit any player from taking the field if they sport a logo or wording on their kit which is non-compliant.
"I don't think that's very divisive" - Pat Cummins
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Cummins said the entire team is behind Khawaja, but the 36-year-old didn't wanted to make too big a fuss by sporting the shoes. Cummins said, as quoted by nine.com.au:
"(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. 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. 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."
Australia confirm XI for the 1st Test:
Meanwhile, the hosts have confirmed the playing XI for the 1st Test against Pakistan, with Travis Head returning as vice-captain. Nathan Lyon is the only change from the very recent Test played by Australia, coming in for Todd Murphy.
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
