Usman Khawaja Announces Retirement from International Cricket After Fifth Ashes Test
Usman Khawaja will retire from all international cricket after the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The 39-year-old batsman has had a notable career, playing 87 Tests and scoring 6,206 runs at an average of 43.39, including 16 centuries and 28 fifties.
Khawaja grew up in Sydney after moving from Pakistan, making the SCG a fitting venue for his retirement announcement. Australia currently leads the series 3-1 heading into the final Test.
His late-career revival began at age 35 in 2022, where he scored back-to-back centuries against England and accumulated seven centuries in his first two years back in the national team. During the current series, he faced injury challenges, including back spasms that ruled him out of the Perth Test and a missed Brisbane Test. He was dropped for Adelaide but recalled for Melbourne after Steve Smith’s vertigo, where he scored 82 in the first innings.
Khawaja is the second Australian player to retire while still in the national team in the last decade, following David Warner. He expressed gratitude for his journey, acknowledging his family support and his background to inspire others.
