Usman Khawaja Announces Retirement After Final Ashes Test
Khawaja Reflects on His Career and Retirement
Sydney, Australia - January 2: Usman Khawaja has officially announced his retirement from international cricket following the conclusion of the fifth Ashes Test against England in Sydney. He shared his thoughts on the challenges he faced regarding selection during the series, particularly after missing the second Test due to back spasms.
Khawaja expressed his disappointment at not being included in the squad for the third Test, believing he could have contributed significantly to the middle order. After suffering from back spasms in the first Test, he was unable to participate in the second match. Although he was fit for the third Test, he was initially left out of the playing eleven. However, due to Steve Smith's health issues, Khawaja was called up to play on the morning of the match at Adelaide Oval.
"Missing the Brisbane game was tough, and not being selected again in Adelaide was frustrating. I understood that Heady and Weathers were performing well, but I felt I could have easily slotted back into the middle order. Once I wasn’t picked, I knew that was likely it for me," Khawaja stated, as reported by a local media outlet.
At 39 years old, Khawaja will conclude his Test career with 87 matches under his belt, amassing 6206 runs, which includes 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries, boasting an average of 43.39 across 157 innings.
During a press conference at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Khawaja confirmed his retirement plans. He mentioned that he had tried to avoid dwelling on the idea of retirement, despite ongoing discussions about a potential farewell tour. Australian head coach Andrew McDonald had previously suggested that Khawaja still had more cricket left in him, even mentioning future tours, including one to India in 2027.
"I always intended to retire in Sydney, but the decision came sooner than I anticipated. I wanted to focus on playing rather than the farewell tour discussions. I still believed there was a chance I could continue playing. Coach Ron [Andrew McDonald] kept mentioning India in 2027, recognizing my strong record in the subcontinent. I appreciated his optimism, but I felt it was too far ahead for me. I didn’t fully close the door until Adelaide. At 39, I’m content to retire now," he concluded.
Khawaja has an impressive record in Test matches played in Asia, scoring 1607 runs in 18 matches at an average of 61.80, which includes five centuries and six fifties, with a highest score of 232.