Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja has confirmed he will retire from international cricket following his farewell appearance at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting this Sunday.
A Career Bookended at the SCG
The 39-year-old veteran will bring his international career to a close at the very ground where he made his Test debut during the 2010-11 Ashes series. Khawaja's future had been a major talking point this summer, especially after he suffered back spasms during the Ashes opener in Perth.
He was later recalled for the third Test, celebrating his 39th birthday during the match, but was slotted into the middle order. His automatic selection at the top of the innings was disrupted by the injury and Travis Head's brilliant century.
Coach Confirms Final Appearance
Australian coach Andrew McDonald confirmed on Monday that Khawaja was locked in for the Sydney Test but offered no guarantees about his future beyond that match. McDonald hinted that a decision would likely have been required before Australia's next Test series against Bangladesh in August.
However, Khawaja has taken the decision into his own hands. In a statement, the left-hander expressed profound gratitude, saying, "God, through cricket, has given me far more than I ever imagined."
One of the Great Career Revivals
Khawaja becomes only the second Australian in the past decade to retire while still a member of the Test team, following his former opening partner David Warner's departure two summers ago. Warner's exit led to a revolving door of partners at the top of the order, with Khawaja remaining the constant, even through a significant form slump over the last two years.
His recent back issue was the only thing that prevented Jake Weatherald from becoming Khawaja's sixth opening partner since Warner.
Khawaja's career is a story of remarkable resilience. He spent nearly three years out of the Test side before staging one of the great comebacks at the age of 35. Recalled for the 2021-22 Ashes when Travis Head was out with COVID, Khawaja scored twin centuries against England.
This sparked an incredible revival, where he notched up seven centuries in his first two years back in the team.
Usman Khawaja's Test Career at a Glance:
- Tests: 87
- Runs: 6,206
- Average: 43.39
- Centuries: 16
- Half-centuries: 28
The cricketing world now prepares to farewell a beloved and tenacious figure of the Australian game as he takes his final walk to the crease at the SCG.
