Usman Khawaja will address the media in a press conference two days before the fifth and final Ashes 2025-26 Test. The Australian opener has been in the spotlight throughout the entire series. Many expected the England showdown to be his farewell.
At 39, Khawaja isn’t young anymore. His performances in the last 12 months weren’t great either. Then, in Perth, the opener injured himself. He didn’t even come out to bat in the second innings. Khawaja was then ruled out of the pink ball Test in Brisbane. The retirement talks gained pace then.
Steve Smith’s injury brought him back into the team in Adelaide. But his opener spot was taken away. In the last 2 Tests, Khawaja has been batting at number five. That doesn’t inspire hope for his future prospects. However, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has clarified that Khawaja hasn’t indicated that he’ll retire after the Sydney Test.
Usman Khawaja to address Test retirement rumours
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Khawaja will address the press on Friday, January 2. Cricket Australia hasn’t confirmed the speakers, but it’s expected that the veteran batter will come out and discuss rumours regarding his retirement from Test cricket.
Khawaja’s former teammate and great Australian captain Michael Clarke thinks the southpaw opener will hang up his boots in Sydney. He hopes the 39-year-old will end his career on a high, by scoring a hundred. The chances of that happening are very much alive, since Khawaja has been picked in Australia’s squad for the 5th Ashes Test.
“I think this will be Usman’s farewell Test match. I don’t think it’s a token selection; they obviously picked him for Melbourne, so if they’ve gone that way, you pick him for Sydney as well. But I think he’ll retire after this Test match. Australia will win the series. 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,” Clarke told Code Sports.
Australia squad for 5th Ashes Test
Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
