Australia opener Usman Khawaja has found himself at the centre of a frosty dispute with his state, Queensland, over his decision not to play in the side’s final Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia.

The Test opener, 38, is understood to have been recovering from a hamstring injury, which forced him out of last weekend’s clash in Adelaide.

The match had ended in a draw but was just enough to send the Bulls through to the Sheffield Shield finals, despite them finishing level on points with Victoria in the league. They’ll take on South Australia again in the showpiece at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide.

The following weekend, was spotted on the Grid, ahead of last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, alongside former Aussie cricket star Aaron Finch. The duo were seen making their way past broadcaster Martin Brundle on Sky Sports’ coverage of the event. 

But on the eve of the Shield final, it appears some within the Queensland camp have questioned the legitimacy of his injury.

The 38-year-old had been doing rehab on the issue but the club’s general manager Joe Dawes controversially said he was ‘disappointed’ in Khawaja.

Usman Khawaja has found himself at the centre of a frosty feud with Queensland Cricket 

Queensland Cricket general manager Joe Dawes (left, with Callum Vidler, right) has scrutinised the nature of Khawaja’s injury

The Australian opener (pictured with partner Rachel) did not feature in his side’s draw this weekend against South Australia, but was pictured at the Grand Prix 

‘Our medical staff said all the way through he has been available for selection,’ Dawes said.

‘That is my understanding from Cricket Australia staff as well. No hamstring issues as far as we are concerned.

‘I go off our medical staff and there is no reason why he could not have played the last game.

‘It’s just disappointing he didn’t play a game for Queensland when he had an opportunity to.

‘I have got a bunch of blokes here that all want to play.

‘I think we are disappointed he did not play the game against South Australia.

‘That’s the decision he made and he has communicated some of the reasons for that to the public. Hopefully, he will make that decision to make himself available for next week and we will make that decision on Friday.’

Khawaja’s availability to play in next week’s final is still under a shroud of uncertainty.

Khawaja is said to still be suffering from the hamstring issue and was reportedly ‘upset’ by suggestions by Dawes he could have played 

Queensland go head-to-head in the Sheffield Shield final next week as they take on South Australia 

Queensland Cricket have since declined to comment on the incident but said that the squad will be announced on Friday.

However, The Sydney Morning Herald has claimed that Khawaja had been ‘upset’ by the accusations from Queensland Cricket.

Khawaja had initially not been expected to return for Queensland in the wake of Australia’s series victory against Sri Lanka, insiders told the outlet.

But with Queensland chasing a spot in the finals, Khawaja is understood to have stepped up to help the side for their clash against Tassie, even after having suffered a ‘minor hamstring injury’ the day before the match.

His appearance at Melbourne Park this weekend, though, appears to have attracted the ire of some from within the state, notably Queensland Cricket board director Ian Healy.

‘The board should be aghast that Usman Khawaja has chosen not to play the last round of the Sheffield Shield competition to get his state into the final,’ Healy said on SEN Radio.

‘To Cricket Australia – your contracted player doesn’t play your long-standing competition. Our cricket needs to be built on integrity, skill and “ticker”, not absence.’