- By Vishal Pushkar
- Wed, 31 Dec 2025 01:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Michael Clarke predicts Khawaja's SCG Test will be his last.
- Khawaja's international career saw a new lease of life.
- Competition from younger players pressures Khawaja's spot.
Ashes 2025-26: Australian Test opener Usman Khawaja found a new lease of life to his international career after he played a crucial knock in the Adelaide Test, which helped the hosts retain the Ashes. Many deemed it as Khawaja's return to form as the latter hit a half-century in the format after 11 long months. However, former Australian captain Michael Clarke has predicted that the opener might play his final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting on Sunday (December 4). The 39-year-old Khawaja is already facing the test of time with players like Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, and Matt Renshaw awaiting their chance in the squad.
Clarke reasoned that Khawaja should consider retirement after his poor record with the bat. Khawaja has accumulated 614 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 36.11, which includes one hundred and one fifty.
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Interestingly, Khawaja played a herculean knock of 232 at the beginning of 2025 but couldn't capitalise on his form thereafter.
“I think this will be Usman’s farewell Test. I don’t think it is a token selection; they obviously picked him for Melbourne, so if they have gone that way, you pick him for Sydney as well," Clarke said while speaking to Code Sports.
“But I think he will retire after this Test. Australia will win the series. Hopefully, he goes out with a big score. I would love to see Uz make a hundred at the SCG and walk away on a high because not many people get that opportunity," Clarke added.
Lost His Opening Spot To Travis Head
Khawaja was inducted into the middle order after the swashbuckling batter Travis Head smashed a commanding hundred in the Perth Test while opening the batting. That knock blew away England's chances of winning the test as Australia secured a 1-0 lead.
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Khawaja was dropped from the second Test and was all set to miss the third Test as well. However, Steve Smith’s vertigo made a position vacant in the middle-order. Australian team management gave Khawaja another chance with a spot in the middle order.
Even during the MCG test, Khawaja played in the middle-order and scored 29 and 0 in the first and second innings respectively.