[ad_1]
Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has reiterated his support for teammate Usman Khawaja‘s efforts to spread a message of peace through his symbolic gestures. Khawaja, who had sported a dove with an olive branch on his shoe during practice at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 24, had his request to wear the peace symbol during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan rejected by the ICC.
Cummins, while acknowledging the rejection, expressed his support for Khawaja’s stance, stating, “We really support Uzzy (Khawaja). I think he’s standing up for what he believes, and I think he’s doing it really respectfully.”
The rejection by the ICC comes after Khawaja was previously prohibited from displaying messages like “freedom is a human right” and “all lives are equal” on his shoes during the first Test in Perth. Despite these setbacks, Khawaja has continued to find ways to express his beliefs, with the dove and olive branch being his latest attempt at compromise.
Cummins defended Khawaja’s actions, emphasizing that the player has handled the situation admirably. “All lives are equal, and I don’t think that’s very offensive, and I’d say the same about the dove. That’s Uzzy. He can hold his head high the way he’s gone about it, but there’s rules in place, so I believe the ICC have said they’re not going to approve that. They make up the rules, and you’ve got to accept it,” said Cummins.
The Australian Test captain also highlighted the importance of allowing players to express themselves authentically within the team environment. “That’s the environment we try to create. Everyone is at their best when they’re bringing their own self to any group. We’re talking about people here, not just guys who hit a cricket ball or bowl a cricket ball; they’re real people,” Cummins explained.
As the Boxing Day Test approaches, the focus remains on the cricket, but Khawaja’s actions have sparked conversations about freedom of expression and individuality in the sport.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
[ad_2]
Source link
