Usman Khawaja opens up on subconscious biases within CA

Usman Khawaja made a return to Test cricket after a 2.5 year gap in 2022 [Source: Twitter]

After making a triumphant return to the red-ball arena for Australia, opener Usman Khawaja has opened up on subconscious selection biases within the Cricket Australia system. 

The Pakistan-born cricketer who moved to Australia in his younger days talked about facing racial discrimination during selection process in age-group cricket.

Interestingly, Khawaja remains the only South Asian-origin player to play Tests for Australia, since making his debut back in 2011.

The 36-year-old has been quite vocal about facing discrimination while traveling within Australia in the name of security checks.  As per Sydney Morning Herald, Khawaja said that nothing has changed over the last 10-years, and more is needed by CA. 

“That’s where I’m trying to work with Cricket Australia saying, ‘Look, guys … you invest a lot of money into this, but something’s not going right. You’ve been doing it for 10 years and nothing’s changed."

"There’s subconscious bias. If you have two cricketers, one brown, one white, both the same, the white coach is going to pick the white cricketer just because he has a son that might look similar to him. It’s what’s familiar to him."

Khawaja will be crucial to Australia's success in their upcoming India tour, coming off a phenomenal 2022, scoring 1080 Test runs at an average of 67.50.

Overall, in 56 Tests, Khawaja has scored 4,162 runs, and featured in 40 ODIs and 9 T20Is for the Australians.

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