Scott Boland joins Usman Khawaja in brutal development as family detail comes to light

Scott Boland has joined Aussie Test teammate Usman Khawaja as the latest big-name cricket star ruled out of his state's must-win Sheffield Shield game. Khawaja's decision to make himself unavailable for selection for Queensland has prompted backlash, with the Bulls needing to beat leaders South Australia in the final round of the regular season to qualify for the decider that will be hosted by their opponents at Adelaide's Karen Rolton Oval.

Victoria also has a chance to make the final if they beat Western Australia at the WACA, but will be relying on South Australia to do them a favour by downing Khawaja's Bulls. And the Victorians' hopes of securing victory have been dealt a significant blow, with Test paceman Boland ruled out of the must-win clash with knee soreness.

Scott Boland has been ruled out of Victoria's Sheffield Shield game with knee soreness, while family man Usman Khawaja has made himself unavailable for QLD as part of a Test management plan. Pic: Getty

Boland picked up the injury in the aftermath of Victoria's defeat against South Australia and unless his men can secure their spot in the Shield final, the paceman will undergo an extended period of rest, before building towards Australia's World Test Championship final against South Africa in June. Boland is expected to do some light bowling in Melbourne and feature in as many as three training camps in Brisbane that Cricket Australia has planned for the Test squad.

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Veteran quick Peter Siddle has been included in Victoria's 13-man squad at Boland's expense, while Victoria will also be boosted by the return of Will Sutherland for the match against WA, after the captain was rested against South Australia. Victoria have also called up former WA quick David Moody off the back of some impressive displays for Victoria's second XI.

Khawaja opts out of QLD match as family detail emerges

However, the biggest headlines have been around Khawaja's decision not to play for Queensland, with Aussie legend Ian Healy among those to criticise the move. Khawaja and CA have carefully managed the veteran's cricket schedule and there are suggestions he's also keen to spend some quality time with family, during the holy month of Ramadan that holds a special place for Khawaja and his Muslim faith. It has also emerged that Khawaja has opted to fly to Melbourne to spend the weekend with his family watching the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.

He wants to spend more time with his family at this special time.. which I understand.. I have a young family myself.. but I can’t just pick & choose which footy games I call. I struggle to get kids birthdays off as it is.. — Zane Bojack (@zanofc) March 13, 2025

It comes after Queensland Cricket told Yahoo Sport Australia that Khawaja only wanted to play one of the two Shield games that followed his return from Sri Lanka, and didn't want to take the place of a younger player who'd been in the team all season. Marnus Labuschagne has replaced Khawaja after his return from the Champions Trophy, and officials will make a call on the Test stars' availability for the final if they make it.

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But the opener's absence is particularly telling as he made match-winning scores of 127 and 33 not out in Queensland's win over Tasmania that gave the Bulls a chance to qualify for the Shield final. And if the Bulls do ultimately qualify for the Shield decider than Khawaja could once again become available.

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Ian Healy lashes CA over Usman Khawaja move

Discussing the situation on SEN radio on Friday, former Test wicketkeeper and proud Queenslander Healy said Cricket Australia should be asking themselves questions if a player of Khawaja's stature doesn't want to play in such a crucial game. Others have suggested it shows the Shield isn't held in particularly high regard, and it's summed up best by the fact the winners get less than $100,000 even though Cricket Australia is worth an estimated $80 million.

Ian Healy (L) has put Cricket Australia on blast over Usman Khawaja's (R) decision not to play in the Sheffield Shield game. Image: Getty

"I've got Cricket Australia under the pump and they should be feeling a little bit of pressure," Healy said. "I'm not sure who the relevant department is. It's either the cricket department, the CEO who's the head of management, or the board.

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"The board should be aghast that Usman Khawaja has chosen not to play the last round of the Sheffield Shield competition to get his state into the final. To Cricket Australia - your contracted player doesn't play your long-standing competition. Our cricket needs to be built on integrity, skill and 'ticker', not absence."

Khawaja's schedule has been carefully managed by CA in recent years and that will continue to be the way for the 38-year-old, ahead of a huge year that could be his last in Test cricket. CA are clearly mindful of Khawaja playing back-to-back matches with one eye on June's WTC final and a home Ashes series later in the year.

with agencies

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