After weeks of controversy, Usman Khawaja has finally had the chance to sport a peace dove sticker while playing for the Brisbane Heat.
But it lasted just a matter of balls as he was forced to replace bats in the first over against the Perth Scorchers.
The Test match opener and Heat star made waves to open the summer when he was spotted training in shoes emblazoned with the slogans “All lives are equal” and “Freedom is a human right” along the sides.
He expressed his plan to wear them in the first test against Pakistan in Perth, but the International Cricket Council quashed his plans.
The Queenslander was then hit with a reprimand for wearing an armband at Optus Stadium in a personal gesture of mourning for children killed in Gaza during the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas terrorists.
He told the ICC he sported the armband due to personal bereavement despite being told he could not display political or human rights messages under the Council’s strict guidelines and playing conditions.
In the wake of the reprimand, which he unsuccessfully appealed, Khawaja tried to get approval to wear a dove on his shoes and bats instead.
However, the ICC rejected the plan as well.
Cricket Australia offered a lifeline, saying the veteran was free to display the symbol should he return to Big Bash action as he did against Perth at the Gabba.
He walked to the crease with the stickered bat but had to replace it after damaging the toe playing a crunching pull shot off Jhye Richardson.
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.