Khawaja has played in six Ashes series – winning two, losing two and drawing two. He was also part of the Australia team that won the World Test Championship in 2023.
He needs 30 runs in his final Test to go above Mike Hussey and into 14th on Australia’s all-time run-scorers list, behind the great Donald Bradman in 13th.
Khawaja played the last of his 40 one-day internationals in 2019, having scored 1,554 runs at 42. He played nine T20 internationals, scoring 241 runs at 26.77.
Now playing domestically for Queensland, Khawaja will end his international career on the ground that was his home when he first played professional cricket for New South Wales in 2008. He intends to continue playing domestic cricket.
Often in and out of the Australia team during his Test career, he found a home at the top of the order during the previous home Ashes in 2021-22.
During the Perth Test Travis Head was moved up to open in place of Khawaja in the second innings. Head made a swashbuckling century to lead Australia to an eight-wicket win.
Khawaja missed the second Test with the back problem and was due to be left out of the third, only to receive a late call-up when Steve Smith fell ill.
Khawaja made 82 and 40 in Adelaide to retain his place for the fourth Test.
After the Ashes Australia do not play another Test until August.
“At the age of 25 I tried so hard to fit into the Australian cricket team. I was trying to dress like all the boys; I was going out to the clubs even though I didn’t drink,” said Khawaja.
“I tried all that and it didn’t get work. I’d still get dropped from the Australian cricket team.
“I get it – my name isn’t John Smith. When the 50-50 calls happen they’re just not going my way. Why am I trying to be like everybody else?
“I’m hoping the journey for the next Usman Khawaja is a bit easier and we get to a line, however many generations, where that Usman Khawaja is the same as John Smith. That’s what I’ve been trying to champion the whole time.
“We’re a lot better and inclusive society than we’ve been before, but there’s still a way to go because Australian cricket is still very white in a lot of respects.
“It might take time, but as long as you’re working towards it you can’t do more than that.”
