Australian opening batsman Usman Khawaja has announced his retirement from international cricket, with the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) set to be his last appearance in the Baggy Green. The veteran left-hander, who will turn 39 this year, made the emotional announcement in Sydney on Friday, January 2, 2026, surrounded by his wife Rachel and daughters Aisha and Ayla.
A Career of Significance and a Sydney Farewell
Khawaja's decision brings the curtain down on a distinguished 87-Test career. He currently sits 15th on Australia's all-time run-scorers list with 6,206 runs. A strong performance in his farewell Test could see him climb higher, as he needs just 30 more runs to overtake Michael Hussey's tally of 6,235 runs. His journey is a remarkable story of migration and achievement. Khawaja moved to Australia from Pakistan with his parents when he was just four years old. He grew up near the SCG and would later make his First-Class debut (2008) and Test debut (2011) at the iconic ground.
Reflecting on his inspiration, Khawaja shared a poignant memory. "I lived just up the road from the SCG, on Cook Road," he said. "I'll never forget when I was younger, I saw Michael Slater drive in his red Ferrari. I thought, 'One day I'm going to be a Test cricketer'. Never did I think that God would grant me such a wish." His career was historic, as he became Australia's first Muslim Test cricketer, serving as a role model for many.
Atherton's Tribute: From SCG Dreams to a 'Significant' Legacy
The focus on Khawaja's final match is intertwined with discussions about the Sydney pitch. The recent two-day finish in the Melbourne Test has put the SCG surface under scrutiny. Former England captain Michael Atherton, writing for The Times, contrasted the pitch's modern character with its spin-friendly past, a time when a young Khawaja would watch play.
"It is a long way from the spin-friendly venue it used to be when Khawaja would make his way into the ground for the final, free hour of play as a young boy," Atherton wrote, "and he takes his leave as one of the more significant Australian cricketers of recent times." Atherton praised Khawaja's timely decision to retire, highlighting his twin centuries at the SCG in 2022 that sparked a late-career resurgence. "Khawaja has chosen his moment wisely; a fitting, but timely, end to a fine career," he concluded.
The Final Innings and Looking Ahead
The Sydney Test, starting soon, will be an emotional affair. All eyes will be on Khawaja as he walks out to bat one last time, aiming to contribute to an Australian victory and personally surpass Mike Hussey's record. His retirement marks the beginning of a transition for the Australian team. As Atherton noted, "He is the first of this ageing team to go. How well the selectors manage the transformation to come will determine the next Ashes bouts."
For Khawaja, the circle completes at the very ground where his dream took root. From a boy watching his heroes from the stands to becoming a celebrated Test cricketer with over 6,000 runs, his career stands as a testament to dedication and talent. The cricket world will watch as one of Australia's modern-day stalwarts bids farewell on his home turf.
