Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket | Usman Khawaja
Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from international cricket, saying the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney will be his last.
The batsman, who turned 39 last month, has a future in Test cricket that has been one of the hottest topics in this summer’s Ashes series.
Khawaja addressed the speculation at the SCG on Friday as we head into the final Test, where Australia leads the series 3-1.
“I am here today to announce that I will be retiring from all international cricket after the SCG Test match,” he said.
“God has given me so much more through cricket than I could have ever imagined. He has given me memories that I will carry forever, friendships that go far beyond the game and lessons that have shaped me and who I am off the field.
“But no career belongs to just one person. Frankly, I was a great help. To my family who were there, thank you for your sacrifices that made sure things never went off.”
Playing against England at the SCG will be a fitting venue, given the venue where Khawaja made his Test debut in the 2010-11 Ashes series. It’s also close to his house.
“Funny enough, I live on Cook Road, literally just above the SCG,” he said.
“And I’ll never forget, when I was little and I saw Michael Slater driving his red Ferrari. I couldn’t believe my luck. I had just seen a Test cricketer. And as a kid whose parents were barely able to provide for their children in a small two-bedroom flat, I thought, ‘One day, I’ll be a Test cricketer too, and one day I can drive whatever I want.'”
Khawaja moved to Sydney from Pakistan as a child and scored his maiden Ashes century there in 2018, scoring 171 against England.
Travis Head revived his career at the SCG as the 35-year-old scored twin centuries against England in 2022 when he missed the Test due to Covid.
This led to one of the great revivals of his late career and he achieved seven centuries in his first two years with the team.
“This game puts you to shame,” Khawaja said in his retirement speech on Friday.
“It tests your patience, endurance and character, and if you’re lucky, it teaches you gratitude.
“Even on the days when things aren’t going well, I hope I’ve inspired many kids along the way, especially those who feel like they’re different, who feel like they don’t belong, or who others say they’ll never make it. “I felt all of that growing up and trying to become an Australian cricketer, but seeing is believing.
“I’m a proud black Muslim kid from Pakistan who was told he would never play for the Australian cricket team. Now look at me. You can do the same.”
“As I set off for the last time, I do so with gratitude and peace. Or, so to speak, ‘salute’. I am grateful for the journey, for the people, for the lessons. Thank you for letting me live my dream and sharing it with me.”
Khawaja’s position came under extra scrutiny this summer after he was unable to play in Perth’s first Ashes Test due to a back spasm and then missed the Brisbane Test through injury.
Steve Smith was left out in Adelaide before dizziness allowed him to return, his score of 82 in the first innings ensuring his stay in the side for the fourth Test in Melbourne.
Khawaja becomes the second player to leave the team while still in the Australian Test squad in the last decade, following the departure of David Warner two summers ago.
Usman Khawaja’s Test career:
Tests: 87
Number of starts: 6,206
Average: 43.39
Centuries: 16
Half-centuries: 28
