Australian cricket great Mike Hussey has added his voice to those supporting Usman Khawaja after a new attempt by the batter to show his support for those suffering in Gaza was denied.
Khawaja had hoped to use images of a dove holding an olive branch, as well as a reference to article one of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on one of his boots and bat in the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan on Tuesday.
The plan was part of Khawaja's renewed push to raise awareness for what he sees as a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Khawaja had support from Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association, but his application was denied by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday.
Khawaja and Cricket Australia had been working with the ICC during the past week to find a way for the left-hander to show his support without being "divisive".
Khawaja walked out to bat at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day with the names of his children, Aisha and Ayla, written on his shoes.
Khawaja walked out onto the Melbourne Cricket Ground with the names of his children on his shoe. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
Hussey says he 'respects' Khawaja's actions
Hussey, who played with Khawaja for Australia and at the Sydney Thunder, believes his former teammate is simply confident in himself in the later stage of his career to voice his opinions.
"I think his real authentic self is coming out - this is who Uzzy is," Hussey said on Monday after being confirmed he would be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
"He's very passionate in his beliefs, his morals and his values and he's not afraid to put them out there."
Hussey added that he was "quite proud" of Khawaja.
"I don't think he's trying to be divisive or political or anything like that ... I respect what he's done.
"He's got to follow the rules set by the ICC, but he certainly is sticking true to what he believes in."
Pat Cummins said he supports his teammate's right to have strong beliefs, but accepts the governing body's ruling. Source: AAP / Joel Carrett
Cummins describes Khawaja's dove symbol as 'pretty vanilla'
Australian captain Pat Cummins backed Khawaja on Monday, declaring there is little difference between the star opener's banned dove symbol and the eagle Marnus Labuschagne has on his bat.
Cummins on Monday described the dove symbol as "pretty vanilla" and said it was "not really" any different to observant Christian Labuschagne's eagle, which represents a Bible verse.
"We really support Uzzy. He's standing up for what he believes and I think he's done it really respectfully," Cummins said.
"(His initial message was) 'all lives are equal' and I don't think that's very offensive, and I'd say the same about the dove.
"That's Uzzy. I think he can really hold his head high with the way he's gone about it.
"But obviously there's rules in place and I believe the ICC have said they're not going to approve that. They make up the rules and you've got to accept it."
Khawaja was previously charged by the ICC for breaching its clothing and equipment regulations after he wore a black armband without permission during the first Test in Perth.
- after he was told wearing shoes with the words "all lives are equal" and "freedom is a human right" would breach ICC rules.
Khawaja calls for consistency from the ICC
Khawaja has called out inconsistency from the ICC with how the governing board enforces its own rules.
On Monday, the 67-Test veteran uploaded a post of other international cricketers displaying messages on their bats.
"Sometimes you just gotta laugh. Cya at Boxing Day! #inconsistent #doublestandards," Khawaja posted on Instagram, with the Kanye West song 'Can't Tell Me Nothing'.
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley had supported Khawaja with his application to wear the dove symbol on his shoe to the ICC.
"Over the last week or so we've been working really constructively with Uz, really to find a way that again is non-partisan," he said on Tuesday.
"The symbol of the dove is a universally recognised symbol of peace.
"That being said, the ICC have got their rules and think they explained their rationale really clearly and we respect that.
"What we've been really clear about is that we support Uzzy and all our players, really, to share what they believe over their own channels."
