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Usman Khawaja to Announce Test Future Ahead of Sydney Ashes Finale

Usman Khawaja is set to clarify his Test cricket future ahead of the final Ashes Test in Sydney. His form has declined, averaging 25.93 and 36.11 over the past two years with modest returns in the current Ashes series. Former England captain Michael Vaughan has publicly advised Khawaja to take charge of his career exit, suggesting a home-ground farewell could be ideal. Khawaja's decision comes after injury disruptions and batting order changes during the Ashes campaign.

Key Points: Usman Khawaja Test Future Decision Before Sydney Ashes Test

  • Khawaja to address Test future
  • Struggling form in recent years
  • Vaughan urges career control
  • Sydney Test potential farewell
3 min read

Ashes: Usman Khawaja to break silence over Test future ahead of Sydney Test

Veteran opener Usman Khawaja will break his silence on his Test career ahead of the Sydney Ashes Test, amid recent form struggles and calls to control his destiny.

"Don't let them decide. You decide your destiny. – Michael Vaughan"

Sydney, January 1

Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja is set to break his silence over his Test future ahead of the fifth and final Ashes Test against England in Sydney, according to The Australian. Khwaja is expected to hold a news conference ahead of the Sydney Test to make his plans clear.

The 39-year-old Khawaja has been having a dismal run in Test cricket over the last two years. The left-handed batter has averaged 25.93 and 36.11 in the past two years. In 2025, the Australian opener scored 614 runs in 18 innings, including one fifty and one hundred.

Khawaja scored his only century against Sri Lanka during Australia's January-February 2025 tour, making a huge 232 in the first innings of the opening Test.

In the ongoing Ashes series, the 39-year-old Khawaja started as Australia's long-standing opener. During the second innings of the Perth Test, Khawaja didn't come out to bat after he suffered back spasms. He missed the Brisbane Test and was initially left out for Adelaide, only being recalled to bat at No. 4 because of Steven Smith's illness, who was ruled out of the Test.

During the fourth Ashes Test against England, Khawaja played in the middle order with Travis Head and Jack Weatherald. The left-handed batter made 29 off 52 balls and a two-ball duck across both innings.

In the ongoing Ashes, Khawaja has made 153 runs in three matches and five innings at an average of 30.60, including one fifty, which came in Adelaide.

Recently, former England cricketer Michael Vaughan urged Khawaja to control his own destiny and enjoy the chance to end his remarkable career on his own terms at home, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

"I would say to Usman, 'Don't let them decide. You decide your destiny. When someone has been playing for so long, we've just got to let them decide. Usman has had an incredible career and not many get the chance to say goodbye on their own terms at their own venue," Vaughan said as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Vaughan said that ending his career at his home ground in an Ashes series would be ideal for the Aussie batter, but it depends on whether he still has the energy and desire to continue playing.

"If he doesn't do that, he runs the risk of his career ending not on his own terms. I can't think of a better way to say goodbye than at his home ground in an Ashes series. If Uzzie has got the energy and capacity to really want to fight on, yeah, I could see that happening, but leaving in Sydney in an Ashes series sounds pretty good to me," Vaughan added.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Vaughan's advice is spot on. A player of his stature deserves to go out on his own terms. A Sydney Ashes farewell would be perfect. Reminds me of how we wished Dravid or Laxman could have had more control over their final series.
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Vikram M
His average of 25.93 in the last two years tells the story. It's a tough call, but performance has to be the main criteria, not sentiment. Australia needs to build for the future, just like we are doing with our young batting lineup.
P
Priya S
Back spasms, being dropped... it sounds like the writing is on the wall. It's always sad to see a great player's career wind down. Wishing him all the best for whatever he decides. He's been a wonderful servant to Australian cricket.
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Rohit P
That double century against Sri Lanka just last year shows he's still got it in him! Maybe he needs a proper run in the middle order, not being shuffled around. If the desire is there, he should continue. Age is just a number sometimes.
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Michael C
With all due respect, I think the article and Vaughan are being overly sentimental. Cricket is a brutal sport at the top level. If he's not consistently scoring runs, the team's needs come first. His time might be up.

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