Usman Khawaja has launched a passionate defence of his Sheffield Shield absence, slamming Queensland's head of cricket Joe Dawes for "categorically untrue" comments that left him "fuming".
A furore erupted when Dawes took aim at the veteran for sitting out the drawn clash with South Australia that enabled the Bulls to qualify for the final.
Khawaja, named on Friday in the Bulls' 14-man squad for the Shield final in Adelaide next week, called a press conference to offer an explanation.
The 38-year-old said a plan had been formulated with Cricket Australia medical staff and selector George Bailey to manage an ongoing hamstring complaint he had played through in the previous round against Tasmania.
That game took place as ex-tropical cyclone Alfred hit Brisbane, Khawaja leaving his young family to play and score a century despite batting in discomfort.
He said he hadn't spoken to Dawes, who said Khawaja had the all-clear from medical staff to play South Australia, in more than a month.
"Joey said the medical staff had no idea - that is 100 per cent wrong," he said.
"I was talking to the Australian physio the whole time.
"Everyone knew about it ... that was one of the most shocking things ... categorically untrue.
"I don't do anything without talking to CA first. They always have the final say."
Khawaja said he had texted Bulls coach Johan Botha to inform him of his original plan that was based around not playing back-to-back fixtures, but never got a reply.
The Test opener said his hamstring "felt like it would pop" in Tasmania, resorting to jogging while at the crease as the Bulls posted a vital nine-wicket win.
But he said at no stage was that management plan, or the injury, discussed with Botha or Queensland Cricket.
So Khawaja, contracted to Cricket Australia, assumed there were no issues until speculation swirled last week.
He then attended the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, mixing photos of his time on the grid with one of him doing hamstring rehabilitation on his social media account.
On the Bulls' return to Brisbane on Tuesday, Dawes said he was disappointed by Khawaja's absence, adding: "I have got a bunch of blokes here that all want to play."
Khawaja said he had Cricket Australia's blessing to attend the Grand Prix and was happy to mend his relationship with Dawes - a former Shield-winning fast bowler for the Bulls - after next week's final.
"I go home and curl up in a ball, or I go and watch F1," Khawaja said.
"The optics look bad ... that's why I wanted to speak out.
"Just like Joey would have given, you give your heart and soul to this organisation.
"He's best mates with Peter Dutton, and I've never seen Dutton give an apology in 20 years, so I'm probably not going to expect it.
"I still do love Queensland Cricket, no matter what happens."
Khawaja intends to play Test cricket until at least the end of next summer's home Ashes series, and captained the Bulls to their last Sheffield Shield title in 2020-21.
They can go from last in 2024 to first if they overcome the table-topping Redbacks at Karen Rolton Oval, the decider falling 30 years on from Queensland's famous maiden Shield triumph, over SA at the Gabba.
Khawaja has replaced offspinner Jack Sinfield, while fellow opener Matt Renshaw, whose wife Josie is expecting their second child, has been included in the squad
QUEENSLAND: Marnus Labuschagne (c), Jack Clayton, Lachlan Hearne, Usman Khawaja, Angus Lovell, Ben McDermott, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Tom Straker, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Jack Wildermuth
