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📻 IMPORTANT AUCKLAND UPDATE 📻
'Something I'll cherish': Khawaja greatful for the career he has had
SEN • January 9th, 2026 6:15 am
After 15 years of wearing the Baggy Green, Usman Khawaja officially bows out of international cricket on a high.
While it wasn’t quite the fairytale finish after being dismissed for just six runs in his final innings, the 39-year-old still walks out as a winner following his retirement announcement prior to the Fifth Ashes Test with Australia claiming a 4-1 series victory with a five-wicket win at the SCG on Thursday.
Across his 88 Test matches for Australia, the New South Welshman turned Queenslander would end up scoring 6229 runs, resulting in an average of 42.95.
Throughout that period, which saw plenty of ups and downs, he would amass 28 half-centuries alongside 16 hundreds (17th all-time amongst Australia) either as an opener or in the middle order.
Speaking with Fox Cricket’s Mark Howard after the win, the 39-year-old was happy that he would be able to celebrate one more victory with his teammates.
“It's just tough, so much has gone into it, so long and it's funny, the game of cricket is so great… to be honest, the only thing I want is (to) finish off the Ashes with a win," Khawaja said.
“I'd love nothing more, and as much as I wanted to go out there and score runs and hit the winning runs, I'm just so grateful for one last final win and to celebrate with my teammates.
“I was trying to act cool, but the whole test match, I found it really hard to control my emotions and I think I've prided myself on being able to control my emotions my whole career… I found it really hard to concentrate a lot, even in the first innings.
“I found it hard to get into rhythm, and even today, my whole career, particularly the last end, has been built on process, process, process.
“I'm glad we got the win, got over the line, and, it's something I'll cherish for the rest of my life, being able to finish here at the SCG.
“I'm so grateful to have the career I've had and I can just finally just relax, not worrying about getting out in the morning.
“It's full gratitude. I think a lot of times in life we worry about what we want, or we always want more. It's all about what else can we have, my whole week has all been about just being grateful.
“If I get 2 ducks or they get 200, just be grateful for what you've been given.
“The hallowed turf at SCG… it was one final thank you from me for everything I've been given.”
Glenn McGrath on Usman Khawaja's international retirement | SEN Cricket
