Australian opener Usman Khawaja refuses to speak to SEN during West Indies test after Peter Lalor's pro-Palestine sacking
Khawaja walked away from a scheduled prerecorded interview with SEN following a disappointing start for Australia's top order in the first Test against the West Indies in Bridgetown.
After the 38-year-old left the field it is understood he informed SEN commentators Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan he would not be talking to them or anyone under their network.
Khawaja's decision was fuelled by the network's decision to sack Lalor in February, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
In February of this year Lalor was working in Sri Lanka covering Australia's Test match in Galle for SEN, when he was informed by the network's chief executive Craig Hutchison that his services were no longer required.
Following the October 7 attacks, Lalor posted a series of tweets and retweets on X about the Gaza conflict.
The network took exception to his social media activity, leading to his dismissal as his views and comments made listeners feel 'uncomfortable'.
Hutchinson said in a statement Lalor would leave SEN due to 'differing views' and the impact he could have on members of the Australian community.
Khawaja was vocal in the network's controversial decision.
'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 said at the time.
'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 working for his Cricket Et Al podcast said 'Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate.'
Khawaja has been vocal in where he stands in the Israel/Gaza conflict.
He planned to wear shoes pictured saying 'freedom is human right' and 'all lives are equal', written in the colours of the Palestinian flag prior to the 2023 Perth Test match against Pakistan.
The International Cricket Council blocked him from wearing the shoes.
Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells endorsed Khawaja's decision to don the supportive shoes and called on authorities not to punish him.
'As federal Sport Minister I have always advocated for athletes having the right to a voice and to speak up on matters important to them,' she said at the time.
'Usman Khawaja is a great athlete and a great Australian. He should have every right to speak up on matters that are important to him.'
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Sydney Morning Herald
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Loading Albanese, a fan of NRL team the South Sydney Rabbitohs, has used rugby league as a tool to safeguard Australia's national security interests in PNG in particular as Beijing seeks to expand its influence. But as cash-strapped Pacific rugby unions confront the prospect of state-sponsored rugby league, it has left a gap for China to step into the breach. 'We need to expand our horizons and see who is willing to help us,' said Tongan rugby chief Aholelei, who toured Chinese cities in June to explore commercial, player pathway and coaching ties. 'That's the reason we embarked on the tour of China. Kindly, the Chinese government helped us to partake. It was very insightful and thee's a lot of help there for us ... we're really optimistic about that impending partnership with China.' Douglas said Samoan rugby was also exploring an MOU with China after being approached by officials from Beijing's embassy in Apia.
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