Usman Khawaja is determined to chart his own path regarding speculation about his Test career’s future. While many believe his time at the top should have concluded before this summer, the decision now rests with him. As he prepares for the upcoming Ashes series, Khawaja’s performance will be pivotal, especially given Australia’s selectors face scrutiny over their choices.
At 38, Khawaja is already the oldest opener for Australia in over 70 years. He will turn 39 during the third Test in Adelaide, marking a significant milestone if he participates. His journey back into the Test arena is nothing short of remarkable. In August 2019, he was dropped from the Test team for the sixth time, seemingly for good. Following this, he dominated the Sheffield Shield while batting at No. 4 for Queensland.
His career took an unexpected turn when Travis Head tested positive for Covid-19 before the 2022 New Year’s Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Khawaja was called back at age 35 and made history by scoring twin centuries in that match. Reflecting on that moment, he described it as a “fairy tale,” acknowledging how extraordinary the circumstances were that led to his return.
Since that match, Khawaja has not missed a single Test and has emerged as Australia’s top batter over the past four years, accumulating more runs and a higher average than any of his teammates. He was named Player of the Series in Pakistan in 2022, achieved his highest Test score against South Africa in Sydney, and was the leading run-scorer in the 2023 Ashes, earning the accolade of ICC Test Player of the Year.
Khawaja’s success has positioned him among Australia’s elite openers, with only three players having scored more runs at a higher average. His ability to adapt across batting positions has led selectors to feel less concerned about specific roles. He attributes his late-career resurgence to the time spent away from the national team, which provided him with perspective and renewed enjoyment for the game.
“I realized that my life didn’t have to be good just because I was playing cricket for Australia,” he stated. This revelation has allowed him to approach his game with a fresh mindset, enjoying his last four years more than any previous period in his career.
As Khawaja contemplates extending his career past his 39th birthday, he faces a dilemma. While he has missed multiple years of Test cricket, many still regard him as one of Australia’s top batters. Nonetheless, he bristles at questions about his current standing, pointing to his recent achievements as evidence of his capabilities.
Yet, there is a noticeable contrast between his performances in 2022 and 2023 compared to the previous two years. Since the conclusion of the 2023 Ashes, he has passed the 50-run mark only four times in 35 innings. Comparatively, players like Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne have managed more half-centuries during the same timeframe and have faced drops from the team.
The challenging pitches in Australia have not been in his favor, and Khawaja has been vocal about their difficulties. His average over the last 18 Tests is just 32.78, while Head, a player many consider among Australia’s best, has averaged 34.16 during the same stretch but has two additional centuries.
Khawaja’s struggles against certain fast bowlers have also drawn attention. He has faced Jasprit Bumrah with notable difficulty, averaging just 5.66 against him. Additionally, he has been dismissed multiple times by other high-caliber pace bowlers, including Matt Henry and Kagiso Rabada, raising concerns about his performance against fast bowling in the upcoming series.
Selectors are aware of the challenges Khawaja faces, but chair of selectors George Bailey recently defended him. “When he goes back and plays Shield cricket, he still stacks up very well,” said Bailey. He emphasized Khawaja’s experience and the importance of his presence during high-pressure situations.
Khawaja has been the only Sheffield Shield opener over the past two years to maintain an average above 50, further solidifying his credentials. His situation draws parallels with the final stages of Ricky Ponting‘s career, where despite struggles at the Test level, he excelled in domestic competitions.
As Khawaja stands at a pivotal moment in his career, his faith in himself and the selectors’ confidence in his abilities will be crucial. The upcoming Ashes series may prove to be another defining chapter in his cricketing journey, and the question of how long he can continue to compete at this level remains in his hands. If he wishes to conclude his career on his own terms, he must rise to the occasion and deliver when it matters most.
