Australian cricket legend Jason Gillespie has responded to Usman Khawaja’s recent comments, where the cricketer expressed that the uproar surrounding his back spasms during the first Ashes Test exemplifies the racial stereotypes he has encountered throughout his career.

Khawaja criticized what he perceives as double standards in Australian cricket, coinciding with the announcement that the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground will mark his retirement from international cricket.

The 39-year-old reflected on assertions that his back spasms, which sidelined him during the first match of the Ashes series and prevented his participation in Brisbane, were linked to his golfing activities. He suggested these claims echoed past issues he’d faced.

“It wasn’t even about my performances, it was about something very personal. It was about my preparation,” Khawaja stated.

He added, “The way that everyone came at me regarding my preparation felt very personal, with remarks like ‘he’s not committed to the team, he was only worried about himself, he played this golf competition the day before, he’s selfish, he doesn’t train hard enough, he’s lazy.'”

Usman Khawaja said the furore over the back spasms he suffered in the first Ashes Test was an example of racial stereotyping as he announced his retirement on Friday (pictured)

Aussie cricket great Jason Gillespie hit back at Khawaja’s claim on X, writing that the questions the batsman was hit with were valid

Gillespie (pictured) pointed out that England have also come in for harsh scrutiny over their preparation for Ashes matches this summer

‘These are the same racial stereotypes that I’ve grown up with my whole life.’

Gillespie shot down Khawaja’s claim in a tweet, writing that he believes the questions over how the injury happened were valid.

‘I respect Usman and have really enjoyed his career, love how he speaks his mind,’ Gillespie wrote on X.

‘I felt the questions re his preparation before Perth (where he played a lot of golf and ended up with back spasms) were legitimate.

‘England have been questioned about their prep too.’

Khawaja gave his fans some clues about what the future holds for him once the Sydney Test finishes.

Family time, golf and commentary are the immediate items on the agenda, while the possibility of a role in cricket administration was ‘not for the moment’.

Politics has also been floated as an idea by others because of his advocacy, which included meetings with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of this summer about sports gambling.

Khawaja (pictured training at the SCG) has been outspoken about a range of issues during his career in the baggy green

The 39-year-old (pictured with wife Rachel and daughters Aisha and Ayla at the SCG) could make a move into commentary once his final match is over

Khawaja made headlines in 2022, when he wrote ‘all lives are equal’ on his shoes and attempted to put a dove sticker on his bat, to highlight the situation in Gaza.

Both moves were ultimately blocked by officials, with Khawaja fined by the ICC for wearing a black armband in a Test.

In 2024, Khawaja memorably accused then opposition leader Peter Dutton of ‘fuelling Islamophobia’.

The retiring batter said on Friday that his views on Palestinians had prompted negative coverage of him this season, knowing some people did not like when he spoke up.

But the 39-year-old stressed he would not shy away from using his voice, and had no regrets over doing so late in his career.

‘I know what people say about me. Stay in your spot. Don’t speak about topics that you don’t know. You’re just a cricketer,’ Khawaja said.

‘But how do you think it makes me feel when people talk about immigration or they start attacking Islam and Muslims?

‘I am an immigrant in Australia. I came here at the age of five. It’s personal. It is.

‘When you start attacking my faith, my belief system, it is personal. So I’m going to speak up about that because not many athletes do.

‘And I understand why they don’t, because look what happened to me at the start of this year. I got absolutely nailed.’