Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has publicly called for his ex-teammate, Usman Khawaja, to retire from Test cricket following the upcoming Ashes match in Sydney.
Pressure Mounts on Veteran Batter
The 39-year-old Khawaja, who made his debut in January 2011, has represented Australia in 87 Test matches. Despite a prolific period where he averaged over 50 in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, his output has significantly declined. Over the last two calendar years, his batting average has dropped to below 40 and then under 30 respectively.
This dip in form has led to increasing speculation about his future, with Clarke and fellow cricket great Mark Waugh now adding their voices to those suggesting the left-hander should call time on his distinguished career. "I think this will be Usman's farewell Test match," Clarke stated in an interview with Code Sports.
A Hopeful Send-Off at the SCG
Clarke expressed a desire to see Khawaja depart on a high note. "Hopefully, he goes out with a big score. I'd love to see Uz make a hundred at the SCG and walk away on a high because not many people get that opportunity," he said.
To date, Khawaja has scored 16 Test centuries and 28 half-centuries. He has not yet publicly confirmed whether he will continue playing beyond the Sydney Test, and it is understood he has given no indication to coaching staff of an imminent retirement. However, a strong belief persists within cricket circles that this will be his final match.
Questions Over Future Role in the Team
Mark Waugh reinforced the view that Khawaja's time may be up, pointing to his age and current batting position. "He's 39. He's batting in the middle order at the moment. I don't really see a future there in the middle order," Waugh commented.
Calls for Khawaja to be dropped intensified after a controversial start to the Ashes series in Perth in November. He was unable to open the batting after receiving treatment for back spasms, an injury later linked to him playing 18 holes of golf on each of the three days leading up to the Test. The issue also ruled him out of the second Test in Brisbane.
Khawaja's potential retirement in Sydney would mark a poignant end, as he made his Test debut in the corresponding match 15 years ago, when England last won the Ashes on Australian soil.
