Chairman of selectors Rod Marsh has given recalled batsman Usman Khawaja a public rebuke for recent comments regarding his omission, but the man himself says he has no regrets. about them
Khawaja last week raised eyebrows by claiming he and Joe Burns were made "scapegoats" by "fickle" selectors when dropped on Australia's ill-fated Sri Lankan Test tour.
The left-hander was included in Australia's 12-man Test squad for the series opener against South Africa, which starts on Thursday in Perth.
But the call-up came with a clip.
"He probably opened his mouth before his brain got working. It might have been early in the morning, he loves a sleep-in, Usman," Marsh said in Perth.
""I'm not too concerned about it.
"But I wouldn't say it's the smartest thing he's ever said. That's life. I think the coach covered that one off."
Khawaja was told of Marsh's comments after his Queensland side fell to a 225-run flogging at the hands of NSW in the Sheffield Shield on Friday, but he said he wouldn't change his remarks.
He did however argue the issue may have been blown out of proportion a little.
"I think I was taken out of context a little bit," he said.
Coach Darren Lehmann noted earlier this week he would chat to Khawaja "privately" about the issue.
Former Test opener Matthew Hayden felt it was a "harsh call" on Khawaja but he said the 29-year-old should have moved on.
"Let your bat do the talking," Hayden told radio station Triple M.
"He just has to shut up and get runs -- which he's done this particular innings (in the Sheffield Shield this week)."
