Sports

Khawaja recalls ‘Homeworkgate’ case, says coach Arthur’s priorities were wrong

Nagpur. Australia batsman Usman Khawaja, who was the victim of the infamous ‘Homeworkgate’ scandal during the 2013 series in India, has slammed the then team management, saying that their priorities were wrong and the series was focused only on preparing strategies on paper instead of performing well. It was loud Khawaja was set to make his debut in the Mohali Test after India’s humiliating defeats in Chennai and Hyderabad but was summoned to meet then-captain Michael Clarke, coach Mickey Arthur and team manager Gavin Dowse. Apart from Pakistan-born cricketer Khawaja, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson were also suspended for one match for not doing the ‘homework’ given by the coach.

These players were asked to give written answers to questions asked to improve the performance of the team. Recalling the incident before the first Test in Nagpur, Khawaja said, “The priorities were wrong at that time. We wanted to get everything right on paper rather than perform well on the field.” Khawaja, who had cemented his place in the Test team, was so incensed by the affair that the Australians did not want to be a part of the dressing room. He told the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’, “With Mickey, the whole coaching and support staff were focused on other things but that was not the reason for our defeat.”

Also read: Former Australian veteran Aaron Finch told the reason behind the success of England team

He said that the Indian team was more capable at that time and that was the reason why Australia lost all the four Tests. He said, “At that time we were not capable of India and that is the reason we lost.” Khawaja said that after that incident he felt as if he was an outsider in the Australian dressing room. He said, “It was difficult for a new player to make a place in the team anyway and when something like this happened, I felt as if I was an outsider.” I didn’t know if I wanted to be in this environment again because it wasn’t much fun. But I reconciled with myself and explained to myself that cricket cannot be the only source of happiness in my life.

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