Australia's veteran opener Usman Khawaja wore a black armband during the New Year Test against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, January 3. Usman Khawaja made the gesture to mark the personal tragedy of the death of his former teammate's South African wife. star Ashwell Prince.
Melissa Prince has died of cancer at the age of 40, leaving her husband and their three sons heartbroken. Khawaja bonded with Ashwell Prince during their time playing together for Lancashire in England. Ashwell represented South Africa in 66 Tests and 52 ODIs between 2002 and 2011.
Ashwell Prince pays heartbreaking tribute to Melissa
On Thursday, Prince shared a touching tribute to his late wife on Instagram. Prince said it was difficult to watch her suffer in her final months. He wrote that Melissa's memory will forever remain in their hearts.
“It was extremely difficult to have to watch you endure as much pain as you did in the last months of your life,” he wrote.
“But we choose to remember you as we knew you. A gem, one of those rare types who touched people's hearts in a special way wherever you went.”
“We miss you mom and can hardly believe you are gone. But you have left an imprint on all our hearts that can never be erased. happy birthday my love Rest in peace up there, your boys will always love you. !”
Usman Khawaja was the only Australian to wear a black armband in the fifth Test
Usman Khawaja was the only Australian to wear a black armband during the fifth Test against India. In 2014, Khawaja was embroiled in controversy when he denied reports that he had reported Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale for making a racist remark about Ashwell Prince during a match.
This gesture is not the first time Khawaja has stood out wearing a black armband. In December, he faced allegations that he used a black armband to make a statement about the Palestine War during the first Test vs Pakistan. The ICC reprimanded him for breaching the Dress and Equipment Regulations.
Usman Khawaja is facing pressure after a disappointing series against India
Khawaja has been under pressure after a poor series against India. He has remained at the top of the order for Australia, especially as the team searches for a replacement for David Warner. Several players including Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas have opened with Khawaja this year.
The left-handed batsman struggled against Jasprit Bumrah in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Khawaja managed just 143 runs in nine innings at an average of 17.88. He was dismissed for just two runs off nine balls, with Bumrah removing him on the last delivery of the day in Sydney.
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