Usman Khawaja Announces Retirement from International Cricket After Ashes Series
Usman Khawaja, the seasoned Australian batsman, has announced his retirement from international cricket after the final Test of the Ashes series in Sydney. With an impressive career tally of 6206 runs and 16 centuries, Khawaja's journey has been marked by resilience and determination. He shared his decision with family and selectors, prioritizing a dignified exit over prolonging his career. As Australia prepares for the future, they will need to find new opening options ahead of the upcoming Bangladesh series. Khawaja plans to continue playing in the Big Bash League and domestic cricket for Queensland, ensuring his presence in the sport continues.
Jan 2, 2026, 20:36 IST
Usman Khawaja to Retire After Final Test of Ashes Series
Veteran Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has officially declared that he will retire from international cricket following the last Test of the ongoing Ashes series in Sydney.
The 39-year-old Khawaja will play his 87th Test match in this series, concluding his career with a remarkable tally of 6206 runs and 16 centuries. He made this announcement at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where his international journey began and is now set to conclude.
Khawaja mentioned that he had been contemplating this decision for quite some time and sensed before the start of the Ashes series that this could be his final tour. He also shared that he had discussed this decision multiple times with his wife, Rachel, and had informed the selectors as well.
Notably, Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald had hoped for Khawaja to continue playing, with plans to retain him for the upcoming tour to India. However, Khawaja prioritized a dignified farewell, stating that he did not want to remain in the team just for the sake of playing, and was ready to step aside if the team no longer needed him.
During this series, he missed one Test due to a back injury and was initially not selected for the Adelaide Test. However, he seized the opportunity when Steve Smith fell ill, scoring a crucial 82 runs to reaffirm his status as a reliable batsman for the team.
Khawaja made his Test debut against England in the 2010-11 series and became the first Muslim player to represent Australia in Test cricket. His career has been marked by early struggles, being dropped from the team, and making a comeback, which has made his journey particularly special. He re-established himself during the 2021-22 Ashes series with two centuries and remained a key player for an extended period.
CEO of Cricket Australia, Todd Greenberg, remarked that Usman Khawaja has made extraordinary contributions both on and off the field, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.
Khawaja also stated that after retiring from international cricket, he plans to continue playing in the Big Bash League for Brisbane Heat and will be available for domestic cricket in Queensland.
It is important to note that following his retirement, Australia will need to explore new options for the opening slot, especially ahead of the Bangladesh series scheduled for August. Currently, Jack Weatherald and Travis Head are potential candidates, but their positions are not guaranteed.