Usman Khawaja To Bow Out Of International Cricket After Sydney Ashes Finale

Veteran Australian batter Usman Khawaja announced on Friday that he will retire from international cricket after the fifth and final Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The 38-year-old revealed the decision at a press conference in Sydney, flanked by his family, just two days before the series finale.

“I’m here to announce today that I will be retiring from all international cricket after the SCG Test match,” Khawaja told reporters.

Looking back, Khawaja spoke with emotion about what the game had given him over the years. He credited his parents and family for the sacrifices that supported his long journey at the highest level.

“But no career belongs to one person. I obviously had a lot of help. To my parents, thank you for your sacrifices that never made the highlights reel,” he said.

Acknowledging the team environment, Khawaja added that no career is built alone.

Across a 15-year international career, Khawaja amassed more than 8,000 runs across formats. The left-hander represented Australia in 87 Tests, 40 ODIs, and nine T20Is.

In Test cricket, he scored 16 centuries, becoming one of only 18 Australians to reach that milestone. A further 30 runs in his farewell Test would see him surpass Michael Hussey’s Test run tally.

Fittingly, Khawaja will end his international career in his home city of Sydney. The SCG was where he made his Test debut against England in 2011.

Remarkably, the venue also witnessed his career revival in 2022, when he scored twin centuries at the age of 35. That resurgence led to seven centuries in two years and Australia’s World Test Championship triumph in 2023.

In 2023, Khawaja was named ICC Test Cricketer of the Year and Shane Warne Test Cricketer of the Year.

He informed head coach Andrew McDonald of his decision after the fourth Test in Melbourne, describing the moment as deeply emotional.

“It’s been tough; I’ve just wanted to tell everyone. I told teammates just then. Didn’t think I’d get emotional, but I teared up straightaway, and I had to compose myself. I finally composed myself and got out what I wanted to say,” Khawaja said.

He further added, “I never thought I’d be the guy that would cry when he retired, but I cried straightaway. It just shows what it means to me. My journey has been different to a lot of cricketers in the Australian cricket team. All that emotion built up.”

While his international chapter ends in Sydney, Khawaja will continue playing domestic cricket.

He remains available for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League and Queensland in the Sheffield Shield, ensuring his presence in Australian cricket continues beyond the international stage.

Also Read: Khawaja Set For Media Interaction Before Fifth Ashes Test; Retirement Talks Surface