Usman Khawaja’s assertion that commentary from journalists and former players about his golf and subsequent back injury before the first Ashes Test carried racist undertones is inflammatory, and in this case, completely wide of the mark.

Sitting through Khawaja’s 50-minute press conference was an awkward experience on a morning that should have been spent celebrating one of Australia’s great cricket careers.

Instead, it became a broadside against sections of the media and some former players, framed around double standards and what he described as “racial stereotypes”.

Khawaja has every right to feel that way. He has endured racism throughout his life and career, and that should never be minimised. He deserves credit for calling it out and should be applauded for speaking so candidly about his experiences at the press conference.

But that does not make criticism about his Test match preparation racially motivated – particularly when it relates to a 38-year-old batsman struggling for runs.

That former Australian fast bowler and Indigenous man Jason Gillespie later described Khawaja’s comments as a “temper tantrum” spoke volumes.

Usman Khawaja at his retirement announcement.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

Steve Smith said on Saturday he felt Khawaja was unfairly targeted in Perth, but did not suggest criticism had been racial.

While Khawaja insisted he did not hold personal anger towards any individual journalist, the point he was making was loud and clear.

“These are the same racial stereotypes I have been [dealing with] my whole........

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