On Day 3 of Australia's the first Test against New Zealand at Wellington's Basin Reserve, the opening batsman Usman Khawaja was ordered to remove a dove logo from his bat. The event occurred in the 19th over of Australia's second innings, when Khawaja signalled for a new bat after breaking one in the middle. The 12th man, Matthew Renshaw, came from the dugout with a few alternatives. After trying out the bats, Khawaja chose one. However, he had to remove the prohibited dove logo from it.
Khawaja has a crack in his bat and has to take the unapproved human rights dove sticker off the new bat before continuing. He was using that one in training #NZvAUS https://t.co/1vVBpEckle pic.twitter.com/geXFtfLXnU
— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) March 1, 2024
This comes after Khawaja's desire to wear the olive branch and dove logo on his bat during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan last year was turned down by the ICC. The 37-year-old intended to wear the sticker to draw attention to the Gaza humanitarian catastrophe.
In the first Test in Perth, the veteran hitter also intended to wear a special message on his shoes, but the ICC warned him from doing so.
Khawaja did, however, wear a black armband during the match; yet, the ICC accused him of violating equipment rules. The batter, who was born in Pakistan, then stated that it was because of a "personal bereavement".
All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it any other way. That's on you... pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023
Cricket Australia captain Pat Cummins and chief executive Nick Hockley did back Khawaja, stating that the opener's attempt to draw attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza was "not offensive".
Cummins had stated that he saw no distinction between teammate's Marnus Labuschagne's eagle-printed bat, which represents a personal religious message, and Khawaja's dove-imprinted shoe and bat, which raises awareness of humanitarian causes.
We really support Uzzy. He's standing up for what he believes and I think he's done it really respectfully.
~Cummins had said ahead of the Boxing Day Test
In the meanwhile, on Day 3, during the morning session, Glenn Phillips dismissed Khawaja for 28. After Australia was bowled out for 164 in their second innings, New Zealand was left to chase a 369-win goal.
Australia's leading scorer was Nathan Lyon, who scored 41, while part-time spinner Phillips recorded career-best statistics with 5-45.
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