Usman Khawaja included in Australia’s Sydney Test squad, set to address media amid retirement talks
Australia have named their squad for the Sydney Test in the Ashes 2025-26, which includes Usman Khawaja, despite growing retirement speculations. The experienced player will address the media before the match and focus on his Test future.
Australia has announced its squad for the fifth and final Ashes Test 2025-26, scheduled for January 1. Experienced left-handed batsman Usman Khawaja has been included in the 15-man squad amid ongoing speculations regarding his retirement. The Sydney Test will begin on January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Australia have secured the Ashes with a 3-1 lead, but England go into this match off the back of a swift victory over the Aussies in just two days in the Boxing Day test.
Usman Khawaja to address media amid retirement speculations
Concerns about Khawaja’s future in Test cricket have intensified due to his poor performance in the longest format. The left-handed opener has managed to amass just 153 runs in three matches in the current Ashes series, top-scoring 82 in Adelaide.
As widely reported, Khawaja is expected to hold a press conference on Friday, January 3 as discussions about his retirement intensify. The 39-year-old suffered a back injury during the Perth Test and did not bat in the second innings. He then missed the second Test in Brisbane but returned to the playing XI for the Adelaide Test, batting in the fourth over while Steve Smith was sidelined with illness.
He batted in the middle order once again during the Boxing Day Test, recording scores of 29 and 0 in both innings.
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Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan recently suggested that Khawaja should retire on his own terms, especially that the fifth and final Ashes 2025-26 Test should be held at home ground in Sydney.
“I would say to Usman: ‘Don’t let them decide. You decide your destiny. When someone’s been playing for this long, we have to let them decide. Usman has had an incredible career and not many people get the chance to say goodbye on their own terms on their home turf,’ Vaughan said, as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald.
Steve Smith will continue to lead Australia in the fifth and final match of the 2025-26 Ashes Test and Pat Cummins will be rested to ensure he remains fresh for next month’s T20 World Cup. Right-arm spinner Todd Murphy has been selected in the 15-man squad and it will be intriguing to see if he can make it into the starting 11.
Australia are aiming to bounce back within two days from defeat to England in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Conversely, England will look to continue their winning momentum and end their disappointing Ashes series on a high note.
Australia squad for the Fifth Ashes Test: Steve Smith (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
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