Usman Khawaja forced to remove black dove sticker from bat on Day 3 of 1st Test match against New Zealand; Know why

The Australian opener, Usman Khawaja seems to be in trouble once again as he was forcefully asked to remove the black dove sticker from his bat. This incident took place on the 3rd day of the 1st Test match against New Zealand at Basin Reserve in Wellington. The batter had the black dove sticker on it as a sign of respect and to express solidarity with Palestine amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

During Australia's 2nd innings, while Khawaja was batting, his bat got cracked and he had to exchange it with a new one. When he got the new bat, umpires showed objection towards the stickers of the black dove and thus he had to peel it off the bat. The 36-year-old had a dove holding an olive branch on his bat sticker. Although he isn't using the sticker while playing the match, he's using it during their practice sessions. 

This isn't the first time Khawaja was asked to remove something from his cricketing gears. During the series against Pakistan, he was asked to remove the black armband which he wore during the match. However, a good part of this issue is the support he received from his captain Pat Cummins and Cricket Australia chief Nick Hockley. 

Glenn Phillips' brilliant bowling performance pulls New Zealand back in game

New Zealand's all-rounder Glenn Philips claimed five wickets in the second innings of the 1st Test match against Australia. His exceptional bowling brought New Zealand back into the game. Moreover, taking a fifer is a huge thing and taking it in front of the home crowd makes it extra special. 

Phillips said after taking the fifer, "It's an absolute dream come true. I never thought it would be in home conditions ... to be able to take a fifer. I definitely thought it was going to be more in the subcontinent. It's a pretty surreal moment for me at the moment. Timmy is an incredible captain and he really gives the confidence to the guys out there. Also gives you the chance to be able to miss every now and then."