"Getting Paid A Truckload...": Usman Khawaja On Picking T20 Leagues Over Test Cricket

Australia batter Usman Khawaja has admitted that he would have stopped playing Test cricket by now, had he been asked to play for inferior wages by the board of any other cricketing nation. Ever since South Africa announced their squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, several former cricketers have raised concerns over the future of the 'purest format of the game'. For context, Proteas have named a second string squad for the two match Test series against the Kiwis. Uncapped batter Neil Brand is set to lead out the South African team, consisting of just three players from the ongoing Test series against India.

Khawaja, on the feedback of colleagues from other teams, has admitted that some of the countries pay less to Test cricketers.

"In my personal opinion, unfortunately the issue is that some of the other countries aren't getting paid as well for playing international cricket. That's just the raw facts. I know this because I've talked to players from other nations, I've asked them what their average salary is, what their match contracts are for their countries," Khawaja told Fox Cricket, as quoted by Sydney Morning Herald.

Khawaja also confessed that he would've picked franchise over Test cricket, had he been playing cricket for countries offering less wages. He added that the players pick franchise cricket to secure the future of their family, and the decision has nothing to do with passion.

"If I was a player from another nation and getting paid ok to play international cricket, I'm getting paid a truckload more to play T20 cricket, I'm sorry but I'm going to be playing the T20 cricket. Not because it doesn't mean anything - I love playing for my country, but it is also a case of looking after your