### Usman Khawaja's Golf Outing Before Ashes Test Sparks Controversy Over Back Injury - Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Todd Greenberg has defended Usman Khawaja amid criticism regarding his decision to play golf before the first Test of the Ashes series. Khawaja, a 38-year-old batter, experienced back spasms during the match, leading to speculation that his golf sessions contributed to his injury. Greenberg emphasized that linking the two events is unfounded, stating that Khawaja's back issues were pre-existing and not a result of his golfing activities [https://www.yardbarker.com/cricket/articles/ashes_2025_26_usman_khawajas_golf_sessions_before_first_test_didnt_lead_to_back_spasm_says_ca_ceo/s1_17728_43104098]. ### Breakdown of the Incident and Reactions 1. **Incident Overview**: - Khawaja played golf on the eve of the Test match and suffered back spasms during England's first innings, which forced him off the field [https://24newshd.tv/22-Nov-2025/australian-cricket-boss-defends-khawaja-s-pre-ashes-round-golf]. 2. **Impact on Team Dynamics**: - His absence led to a reshuffling of the batting order, with Marnus Labuschagne stepping up to open, and Khawaja batting at No. 4, where he scored only two runs [https://www.examiner.com.au/story/9117579/khawajas-back-flares-again-but-golf-round-not-to-blame]. 3. **Criticism from Former Players**: - Former cricketers expressed disappointment, with Tom Moody labeling the situation as "poor management" and Darren Lehmann stating that Khawaja should have been present to lead the batting lineup [https://24newshd.tv/22-Nov-2025/australian-cricket-boss-defends-khawaja-s-pre-ashes-round-golf]. 4. **Greenberg's Defense**: - Greenberg pointed out that many players, including Mitchell Starc, also played golf without negative repercussions, asserting that Khawaja is experienced and knows how to manage his body [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/australia-cricket-chief-clarifies-speculation-of-usman-khawajas-back-stiffness-due-to-playing-golf-10379770]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Performance Metrics**: - Mitchell Starc, who played golf with Khawaja, performed exceptionally well, taking 7 wickets for 58 runs in England's first innings, suggesting that golf did not negatively impact his performance [https://24newshd.tv/22-Nov-2025/australian-cricket-boss-defends-khawaja-s-pre-ashes-round-golf]. - **Injury Context**: - Greenberg clarified that Khawaja's back stiffness was a long-standing issue, not directly related to his golfing activities, which are common among players as a form of relaxation [https://thewest.com.au/sport/cricket/ca-boss-ticks-off-khawajas-pre-ashes-golf-round-c-20760470]. ### Conclusion: Clarifying Misconceptions Around Khawaja's Injury - **Key Findings**: 1. **No Direct Correlation**: Greenberg's assertion that Khawaja's golf sessions did not cause his back spasms is supported by the performance of other players and the nature of Khawaja's pre-existing condition. 2. **Team Impact**: Khawaja's absence affected the batting order, leading to criticism from former players who felt his experience was crucial at the start of the series. 3. **Management of Player Health**: The incident highlights the importance of managing player health and expectations, especially in high-stakes matches like the Ashes. In summary, while Khawaja's decision to play golf before the Test has drawn scrutiny, the evidence suggests that his back issues were not a result of this activity, and the situation has sparked a broader discussion on player management in cricket [https://newsfeel.com/drawing-a-long-bow-ca-boss-defends-khawajas-pre-ashes-golf-after-back-spasms].