Cricket Australia (CA) having to announce 80 per cent lay off for all its staff until the end of June amid fears of running out of cash due to the COVID-19 shutdown left Usman Khawaja "shocked" over the financial situation that the board is facing.
Despite being in control of one of the few economically flourishing cricket markets, CA is curiously finding it difficult to keep itself afloat during this phase.
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"I was very shocked. Because I knew our projections for revenue were still very high and I think they still are, depending on what happens with the Indian series (next home summer)," Khawaja was quoted as saying by Fox Sports.
"It's a bit confusing. I don't have all the financial information in front of me, but it seems like it's more of a cash flow problem at the moment," he added. "There's obviously a little bit of mismanagement there somewhere, with the portfolio and putting a lot of money into the share market."
"To me, that's Business 101. To make sure you have enough cash reserves if crap hits the fan. So I'm a little bit disappointed on that front ... but what's been done is done now, so it's just our responsibility as CA and ACA to work through this."
Khawaja was earlier this week left out of the next round of central contracts list after last turning up at the highest level in mid 2019, leaving him uncertain over his future. However, the 33-year-old isn't giving up on a comeback.
"My playing against spin has been right up there as some of the best in the county. Bar maybe Steve Smith, who is an absolute genius. But the most important thing is to score runs," he said.
Dip in Khawaja's form since the summer in UK last year has coincided with Marnus Labuschagne's amazing rise in both Tests and ODIs.
"If I'm looking at Test cricket, Usman's form in Sheffield Shield cricket didn't demand he was chosen for Australia," National Selector Trevor Hohns was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. "I think that's fair."
"In one-day cricket, he didn't play for Australia despite being in very good form in the Marsh Cup. But the area he operates in, like a couple of other unlucky omissions, is up the top."
"We're pretty well looked after up there with Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steve Smith and now Marnus Labuschagne."
"It was a difficult time for him. Uzzie was the hardest (decision) because he was ranked in two of the three formats, but just fell out of the bottom of the list," added Hohns.
"We know Usman is a fabulous player, I don't have any doubts he'll accept the challenge to get back into the Australian side. He's been pretty good player for Australia, unfortunately, the last 12 months hasn't been his best."
