Former England spinner Monty Panesar’s response to Usman Khawaja’s emotional feedback about racism in Australian cricket has sparked a heated debate about race, tradition and privilege on the planet of cricket.
Monty Panesar hits again at Usman Khawaja in heated cricket racism debate
Not too long ago, Australia’s skilled opener Usman Khawaja opened up about going through stereotypes and harsh therapy. And now, reacting to the Australian star’s revelations, Panesar has contradicted himself, saying he has by no means confronted racism all through his profession in England.
The Asian British cricketer, who performed 50 Checks for England, mirrored on his abroad tour and quelled the rising narrative of racism in cricket, notably inside the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) system.
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Monty Panesar’s perspective: “A comfortable dressing room”
Panesar mentioned he all the time felt revered and valued inside the England system. The previous spinner mentioned the dressing room setting was welcoming and the assist from his team-mates and the ECB had been constant all through his profession.
As reported by IANS, Monty Panesar mentioned: “Fortunately, I by no means confronted any racism whereas enjoying for England. I all the time had sturdy assist from the group and the board. They have been very supportive.”
Usman Khawaja’s argument: Stereotypes and “extreme” criticism
Not too long ago, Khawaja opened up in regards to the struggles he confronted throughout his time within the Australian cricket group. After asserting his retirement from the sport after the ultimate Ashes Take a look at in Sydney, Khawaja opened up in regards to the challenges he confronted all through his profession.
He defined that regardless of being a part of the game’s most well-known nationwide group, Australia’s openers usually felt like outsiders. Regardless of years of constant performances, the Pakistani-born Australian batsman believed he was nonetheless checked out and handled otherwise.
Khawaja mentioned, “Even now, I’ve all the time felt a bit totally different. I am a coloured cricketer and, for my part, the Australian cricket group is the best nationwide group. It is our delight and pleasure. However I’ve additionally all the time felt very totally different due to how I have been handled and the way sure occasions have occurred.”
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He additionally got here below intense criticism earlier than the Perth Take a look at, however after spending time enjoying golf, he suffered sudden again spasms that prevented him from opening in each innings.
The Australian star additional mentioned that he felt media voices and former gamers had questioned his efforts for a number of days and the backlash went far past the stereotypes he had handled through the years since his early days in cricket.
Khawaja concluded: “I had a again spasm that I could not management. It might have gone for 2 days, but it surely lasted about 5 days straight as a result of the media and previous gamers got here out and attacked me.”
These are the identical racial stereotypes I’ve had all my life. We’re clearly not utterly previous them. As a result of I’ve by no means seen anybody within the Australian cricket group handled like that earlier than, not within the out-of-control approach you guys handled me. ”
“I’ve already taken the leash off” 😂
Usman Khawaja is all smiles forward of his remaining check 🥹 pIc.twItter.cahmeters/Wyou0GJyouMJcokay
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) Jbenyoubery 2, 2026
