Michael Clarke, the former national captain, suggested that Usman Khawaja, the prolific opener for Australia, should think about retiring after his disappointing batting performance during the recently finished Border-Gavaskar series. In international cricket, though, the opening batsman believes he has more to contribute.
In 10 innings against India, Khawaja only managed to score 184 runs at an average of 20.44. From 18 innings, he only managed a few half-centuries in 2024. The series’ first-time player, Sam Konstas, showed great promise at the top of the order. Also, Khawaja is under extra pressure to produce because players like Nathan McSweeney, Cameron Bancroft, and Marcus Harris have been playing well in the domestic circuit.
Nonetheless, the 38-year-old hopes to continue playing until later this year, when the Ashes begin. According to the southpaw, as long as the team is winning and he is making a difference, he will try to play longer than the intense series.
There will be significant change occurring over the course of the next three to four years. I would like to continue playing for as long as possible, and I am quite sensitive to that. There may come a time when it’s appropriate to slip out, though. Rumble.com cited Khawaja as stating, “If I’m still playing and the selectors say, ‘We feel like the time’s come,’ it’s ‘You let me know and I can slide out.'”
“I’m not ashamed to talk about it; I absolutely have those notions in my head about bowing out in Sydney. I’m a human being. At a minimum, I would still like to play the Ashes. I try not to look too far ahead since that’s how far I’ll think. I’ll continue playing as long as we’re winning, I’m still making a contribution, and my body feels well. In contrast to retiring after the Ashes, it always seems to me to be taking each summer as it comes,” he continued.
Usman Khawaja will be far from home for his upcoming WTC deployment.
Speaking of Usman Khawaja, the outstanding opener will try to recover during Australia’s forthcoming Test series, which will consist of two matches in Sri Lanka. On Wednesday, January 29, the first Test will start at Galle International Stadium.
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