Usman Khawaja Discusses Retirement Plans Ahead of World Test Championship Final
Khawaja Reflects on His Cricket Journey
London [UK], June 9: Usman Khawaja, the experienced Australian opener, has shared insights about his retirement intentions, stating that he will exit the game "gracefully" when the time comes, just before the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's on Wednesday.
At 38 years old, Khawaja is nearing the end of a remarkable career. Following the retirement of his long-time teammate David Warner, he has stepped up to provide crucial stability at the top of the batting order.
His importance to the Australian team is underscored by the impressive 1,422 runs he has accumulated during the current WTC cycle, making him the leading run-scorer for Australia ahead of the match at Lord's. Despite concerns regarding his age, Khawaja believes he is performing at his peak and continues to relish playing cricket.
"For me, age is just a number. As long as I enjoy the game, train hard, score runs, and contribute to the team, I still have the drive. I don't see things differently, but I'm open to whatever comes," Khawaja expressed in an interview with ICC Digital at Lord's.
"I'm truly enjoying my cricket right now. Everything that starts eventually ends. I can't predict when that will be, but I focus on living in the moment, taking it one Test match and series at a time. When it's time to retire, I'll do so gracefully, whenever that may be," he added.
As Khawaja prepares to open for Australia, there remains uncertainty about who will partner him. Since Warner's retirement in January last year, various players, including Steve Smith, Nathan McSweeney, Travis Head, and Sam Konstas, have been tested in the opening position alongside him.
For the crucial final, there are speculations that Marnus Labuschagne may be promoted from number three to open the batting. Konstas, who showcased his skills during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, is also training with the squad in London and is a contender to partner Khawaja.
Despite the ongoing discussions about Australia's opening pair, Khawaja remains focused and is not distracted by the uncertainty surrounding his partner. "Not really, to be honest. Opening is incredibly challenging. I'm focused on how the ball will be bowled to me and what I need to do. My partner is likely thinking the same thing. We need to work together to tackle the opposition's attack," Khawaja stated when asked if the lack of clarity about his opening partner affects his mindset.
"It doesn't change my game much. If anything, it feels a bit quieter without Davey. My focus is on what I need to do for my team and how to collaborate with my partner while we're out there," he concluded.