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Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Usman Khawaja declines interview with Australian radio in protest of journalist's sacking for pro-Gaza post; CA react
Usman Khawaja declined an interview with Australian broadcasters SEN Radio, in a quiet but pointed protest against the station's controversial sacking of veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor earlier this year. Australia's Usman Khawaja walks off the field(AP) According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Khawaja, who scored a steady 47 runs on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies at Kensington Oval, was approached after stumps by team media manager Cole Hitchcock to record an interview with SEN commentators Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan. However, Khawaja respectfully declined, telling the broadcasters he would not be participating. The situation said the decision stemmed from Khawaja's objection to Lalor's abrupt removal from SEN's cricket coverage in February 2025, during Australia's tour of Sri Lanka. Lalor's dismissal reportedly followed internal concerns over his social media activity, which included reposts highlighting Israeli airstrikes on Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners. The move drew criticism at the time, including from Khawaja, who publicly defended Lalor via Instagram, writing: 'Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions... Pete is a good guy with a good heart. He deserves better.' Khawaja's decision not to speak with SEN on Wednesday is seen as a continuation of that stand. While declining the interview, he is understood to have apologised directly to Collins and Sundaresan, making it clear his issue was not with the commentators themselves but with the network's handling of Lalor's departure. Khawaja won't face any action from Cricket Australia The report adds that Khawaja is unlikely to face any vacation from Cricket Australia (CA) as Media obligations during a match or immediately after play are optional, and players are permitted to decline them at their discretion. Lalor, who is currently covering the series for Cricket Et Al, expressed gratitude for the gesture. 'Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate,' Lalor said in a statement. In a detailed post earlier this year, Lalor revealed the circumstances surrounding his dismissal, stating that SEN CEO Craig Hutchison told him his social media activity had drawn complaints and that some listeners felt 'unsafe' hearing his voice on air. 'I was told there were accusations I was antisemitic, which I strongly objected to,' Lalor wrote. 'I said I didn't want anyone to feel unsafe. Of course I care... But so is Gaza. It's an awful situation.' Hutchison was present at the ground in Barbados on day one, hosting sponsors, but has not commented publicly on Khawaja's protest. SEN is the only Australian broadcaster covering the West Indies tour on the ground, with ABC Radio absent from the Caribbean for this series.
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First Post
4 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Usman Khawaja boycotts Australian radio station over sacking of journalist supporting Palestine: 'He is a man of principle'
Taking a stand for a veteran journalist sacked by SEN Radio, cricketer Usman Khawaja boycotted the Australian radio station at the end of Day 1's play in the first Test between West Indies and Australia. read more Usman Khawaja had also supported journalist Peter Lalor when Sen Radio sacked him in February. Image: AP Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja refused to speak to SEN Radio on Wednesday after the end of Day 1's play in the first Test between West Indies and Australia at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, as a mark of protest against the sacking of veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor. Australia's SEN Radio had sacked renowned cricket reporter Lalor in February this year in February, midway through the tour of Sri Lanka, for showing support for Palestine . Before his sacking, Lalor had shared multiple posts on X (formerly Twitter) which claimed that Israel had committed 'genocide' in Gaza. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Usman Khawaja refuses SEN interview As per a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Khawaja, who made 47 as Australia were bowled out for just 180 on Day 1, was scheduled to record an interview with SEN commentators Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan at Kensington Oval after the end of the day's play, but the veteran opener refused to do the interview. Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity to SMH, said Khawaja's decision was linked to SEN's controversial sacking of Lalor earlier this year. Khawaja feels SEN's action against Lalor was 'unfair'. Khawaja had also backed Lalor in a social media post at the time of his sacking. 'Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions,' Khawaja posted on Instagram. 'It has everything to do with justice and human rights. Unfortunately hatred towards the Jewish and Muslim community will always exist. Pete is a good guy with a good heart. He deserves better.' The report added that Khawaja also apologised to Collins and Sundaresan for declining the interview. The 38-year-old Khawaja doesn't face any threat of action from Cricket Australia as players are allowed to decline post-match interviews if they wish. Meanwhile, Lalor is also covering the first Test in Barbados. Shortly after Khawaja refused the interview, in a statement, Lalo wrote: 'Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
7NEWS
11 hours ago
- Politics
- 7NEWS
Australian opener Usman Khawaja refuses interview with SEN following decision to sack Peter Lalor
Australian opening batter Usman Khawaja has refused an interview with radio broadcaster SEN after Day 1 of the first Test against West Indies. Khawaja was scheduled to speak to SEN Radio commentators Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan on the field at Kensington Oval on Thursday (AEST). But the 38-year-old reportedly told the pair he would not be speaking to them once he realised it was for SEN. The Age reports Khawaja's refusal stems from SEN's decision to sack veteran journalist Peter Lalor in February. Lalor was axed from SEN's coverage midway through Australia's tour of Sri Lanka due to his social media activity around the Israel-Palestine conflict. At the time, Khawaja was a vocal supporter of Lalor. 'Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions,' Khawaja posted on Instagram in February. 'It has everything to do with justice and human rights. Unfortunately hatred towards the Jewish and Muslim community will always exist. Pete is a good guy with a good heart. He deserves better.' Lalor, who is in the West Indies covering the series for Cricket Et Al, released a fresh statement supporting Khawaja. 'Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate,' he said in a statement to The Age. Earlier this year, Lalor explained his dismissal from SEN that came on the final day of the first Test in Galle. 'I was asked by station boss Craig Hutchison, who was civil, if I didn't care that my retweeting of events in Gaza made Jewish people in Melbourne feel unsafe,' he said. 'I said I didn't want anyone to feel unsafe. Of course, I care. I have friends who are frightened and have heard the fear in their voices during conversations. It is an awful situation. But so is Gaza. It was a brief and cordial call. 'The following day Hutchison told me that because the 'sound of my voice made people feel unsafe' and that people are 'triggered by my voice', I could not cover the cricket for them any more.' Khawaja made a hard-fought 47 on a tough opening day in Bridgetown where 14 wickets fell. The Aussies were dismissed for a disappointing 180 before ripping through West Indies' top order to leave the hosts 5-74 at stumps.
Sydney Morning Herald
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Usman is a man of principle': Khawaja refuses SEN interview in solidarity with journalist
Bridgetown: Australian opener Usman Khawaja has refused to participate in a post-play interview with SEN Radio in protest over the network's treatment of veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor. Moments after Australia's players came from the field following the opening day of their first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown, Khawaja was scheduled to do a pre-record interview with SEN commentators Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan on the field at Kensington Oval. Khawaja, who made 47 runs earlier in the day, told the pair he would not be doing the interview. Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Khawaja's decision related to SEN's controversial axing of Lalor earlier this year, which the Test star views as unfair. Lalor, a veteran cricket reporter, was removed from SEN's coverage midway through Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in February. The decision followed his social media activity around the conflict in Gaza, including reposts of news articles about Israeli airstrikes and the release of Palestinian prisoners. SEN chief executive Craig Hutchison informed Lalor on the final morning of the Galle Test that his services were no longer required. At the time, Khawaja publicly backed Lalor in a social media post. 'Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions,' Khawaja posted on Instagram in February.
The Age
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Age
‘Usman is a man of principle': Khawaja refuses SEN interview in solidarity with journalist
Bridgetown: Australian opener Usman Khawaja has refused to participate in a post-play interview with SEN Radio in protest over the network's treatment of veteran cricket journalist Peter Lalor. Moments after Australia's players came from the field following the opening day of their first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown, Khawaja was scheduled to do a pre-record interview with SEN commentators Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan on the field at Kensington Oval. Khawaja, who made 47 runs earlier in the day, told the pair he would not be doing the interview. Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Khawaja's decision related to SEN's controversial axing of Lalor earlier this year, which the Test star views as unfair. Lalor, a veteran cricket reporter, was removed from SEN's coverage midway through Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in February. The decision followed his social media activity around the conflict in Gaza, including reposts of news articles about Israeli airstrikes and the release of Palestinian prisoners. SEN chief executive Craig Hutchison informed Lalor on the final morning of the Galle Test that his services were no longer required. At the time, Khawaja publicly backed Lalor in a social media post. 'Standing up for the people of Gaza is not antisemitic nor does it have anything to do with my Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, but everything to do with the Israeli government and their deplorable actions,' Khawaja posted on Instagram in February.
