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Usman Khawaja named as the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year (2023)

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ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year revealed
A re-born star of Australia's World Test

Championship side has been rewarded for a stellar 12 months in 2023.

Australia opener Usman Khawaja has continued his remarkable recent run by being named the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year for 2023.

Khawaja edged out tough competition from teammate Travis Head, India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England's Joe Root for the award following a successful year that culminated in Australia claiming their first ICC World Test Championship title.

Usman Khawaja in 2023

1210 runs in 13 matches

The year that was

Khawaja kicked off 2023 in splendid form, carrying forward his momentum from the previous year by notching a career-best score of 195* against South Africa.

The opener shined in the biggest test of his career – the away series against India where he finished as the top run-getter among both teams with 333 runs in four matches, which included a century and two fifties.

Undeterred by a pair of rare failires during the World Test Championship Final, Khawaja rebounded against England in the Ashes, finishing once again as the highest run-getter in the series with 496 runs.

The left-handed star finished the year on a high with three scores of 40+ against Pakistan.

With a grand total of 1210 runs, Khawaja stood alone as the sole player to breach the four-figure mark for Test runs in the challenging and rewarding year of 2023.

Memorable performance

Khawaja had two big tons against South Africa (195*) and India (180) but saved his best for arch-rivals England in the Ashes.

After a surprise declaration at 393/8 in the first innings of the opening Test, England managed to put pressure on Australia with early wickets.

Undeterred, Khawaja stitched crucial partnerships with Travis Head, Cameron Green and Alex Carey enroute to his century that helped Australia get close to England’s total.

Khawaja once again proved to be a thorn in England’s side after they set a target of 281 for the win. The southpaw once again batted deep with grit and determination for his 65 off 197 balls.

Although his departure left Australia at 209/7, Pat Cummins delivered a special performance – this time with the bat – to take Australia to a memorable Ashes victory.

For his century and fifty in the second innings, Khawaja took home the Player of the Match.

ICC

www.icc-cricket.com

ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Year revealed

A re-born star of Australia's World Test Championship side has been rewarded for a stellar 12 months in 2023.
www.icc-cricket.com
 
Congratulations ,well deserved .
now People are feeling Happy who were a day ago bashing The ICC for selecting ODI/ Test / T20 team of the years
 
Devadwal said:
Congratulations ,well deserved .
now People are feeling Happy who were a day ago bashing The ICC for selecting ODI/ Test / T20 team of the years
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Happiness is contagious.

One day ago the people who were sad at Rizwan, Babar and Shaheen winning awards for many years also became happy.
 
This thread is about Usman Khawaja and his achievements.

We have another thread about subcontinental origin cricketers doing well in England and Australia.
 
His career took off in the very last stages of his career but no doubt, he showed his real class in Test cricket.
 
Cricket Warrior said:
His career took off in the very last stages of his career but no doubt, he showed his real class in Test cricket.
Click to expand...

Since he made debut Australia has played 135 Tests. He has played 71 of them. He was not a prodigy. A hardworking guy who made the most of his opportunities in the backend of his career.
 
He should snub the award publicly after the way ICC treated him over the whole Palestine issue
 
Well-deserving guy who worked hard for this award and there was no one better than him this year to get that award.
 
The gritty innings of 75 (131) from Usman Khawaja has come to an end in the first innings for Australia. Usman Khawaja most often delivers and stands alone when the entire team collapses, and the same happened today in the second Test between Australia and West Indies.
 
Delighted for Usman Khawaja. Richly deserved..
 
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World is slowly losing these dogged, spirited test batsmen. PUjara may be phased out. Elgar has retired. Khawaja won't play much.
 
Mamoon said:
He doesn’t associate this success with where he came from so there is no reason for Pakistani fans to be proud.
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Me may not associate with Pakistan.

But still for me, it is a proud fact that a guy born in Islamabad, who is Pakistani by birth won this award. I feel proud, why should it matter to anyone else?
 
Khawaja puts current Australia Test side on the all-time honours roll

Reigning ICC Men's Test Player of the Year Usman Khawaja believes his side is just as good as any Australian team to have previously graced the field.

Khawaja has played a major role in Australia's recent run of success in the longest format of the game, with the Aussies claiming their first ICC World Test Championship title against India at The Oval last year and then displacing Rohit Sharma's side as the No.1 ranked Test nation earlier this month.

While those accolades will stand the test of time, just where the current side sits in relation to previous Australian teams to have dominated against the red-ball is a point that can be debated time and again.

Can you judge Sir Donald Bradman and Ray Lindwall with modern contemporaries Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc? Is current first-choice spinner Nathan Lyon anywhere near as good as the great Shane Warne? Or how would former skippers Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh rate in comparison to current captain Pat Cummins?

Khawaja is old enough to remember the powerful Australian sides of the 1990s and early 2000s that dominated Test cricket, and the stylish left-hander thinks the current crop of players are at least on par with these excellent teams of the past.

"I think this current Australian team is as good as any other team that's played before," Khawaja boldly declared.

“I mean, you look at the bowlers that we have – Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon and then you mix it in with the batting, particularly the World Test Championship team that won it last year with David Warner and Steve Smith.

“I think it's as good as any of the other teams that I've grown up watching. And I don't say that lightly.”

Khawaja still remembers the team Waugh captained to a record 16 straight Test triumphs between October 1999 and February 2001 and the side led by Ponting between 2005 and 2008 that matched that effort of 16 consecutive Test wins.

Those Australian sides that dominated Test cricket around the turn of the century are littered with famous names and Khawaja knows how good they were.

"I've grown up watching some amazing Australian teams and I would never say we are better than any of them, never,” he said.

"Those amazing teams, especially of the early 2000s did some amazing feats. But this team, the balance, what it has, it's one of the strongest ones I've played in."

Khawaja's run of form with the bat was a major reason behind Australia’s successful World Test Championship run, with the 37-year-old scoring a total of 1621 runs during the 2021-2023 cycle to be second behind England's Joe Root for the most runs scored over the two-year period.

His resurgence back into Australia's Test side also culminated in claiming the ICC Test Player of the Year award last year, and the veteran believes the honour bestowed upon him is as high as anything he has previously achieved in cricket.

"It has to be probably the greatest honour that I've received," Khawaja said.

"It's not just in Australia, it's not domestic cricket, it's worldwide. When you look at the list of cricketers who've won the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year, (Kumar) Sangakkara, Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, some of the greats of the game and it's quite humbling to have won the same trophy.

"If you had told me any time in my career, particularly two years ago that I'd be winning ICC Test Cricketer of the Year, I would have laughed in your face. It's something, I think it's probably going to be one of the most cherishing awards that I have in my career."

ICC
 
Having read the entire thread. The common theme seems to be that Pakistanis seem to be celebrating this more than the Aussies. I fail to find a tangible connection though.
 
Spitfire said:
Having read the entire thread. The common theme seems to be that Pakistanis seem to be celebrating this more than the Aussies. I fail to find a tangible connection though.
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Well i think we have 1-2 posters on the forum from Australia. The rest are mainly Pakistanis. So it would make sense for Pakistanis to be more visible in this thread.
 
Usman Khawaja while talking to local sports media outlet:

"I mean, when you first face him, it's just his action. It's a different, bizarre kind of action as his release point is very different than other bowlers."

"It's just a bit further up. So a lot of guys release the ball from near the popping crease. [Against Bumrah] it feels like he gets a bit further out just with his front braced leg and pushes the ball out."

"So it feels like it comes out and then gets there a lot quicker than you expect it. It's just once you get used to the action, it's fine. I played against him a lot. Not to say that he can't give me out first ball. I mean anyone can. But it's one of those things where once the first time you face him, it's very awkward and then when you get a little bit of rhythm it gets better. But he's still a class bowler."

"Everyone talks about Jasprit, but they actually have a lot of other good bowlers. I think [Mohammed] Siraj is a very good bowler. He's a very good bowler to both right-handers and left-handers. When [Mohammed] Shami was fit, when he was playing those series, he was a very good bowler. He was very underrated. No one really talked about him. And then they got good spinners lining up, too, which really complements their fast bowlers.”
 
‘Don’t think I’m expiring’: Usman Khawaja eyes 40-year first in historic Ashes push

Australian opener Usman Khawaja is wary of holding onto his place in the Test side too long, but he admits another Ashes series in Australia next year is in his sights — and he could even play on past it.

It has been 40 years since someone has represented Australia at the age of 39 or older at Test level when Bob Holland played against India in the 1985-86 series.

Khawaja turns 39 next summer and, without looking too far ahead, is hopeful he will still be playing against England this time next year.

With Australia searching for a replacement for David Warner after picking Nathan McSweeney from nowhere, keeping Khawaja’s experience could prove vital in ushering in the new wave of young Australian openers.

Sam Konstas is considered a certainty to play for Australia in the future, but at 19 might need a couple of strong Shield seasons to get him ready for Test cricket.

Keeping Khawaja as a rock at the top of the order could buy Australia valuable time while Konstas develops and McSweeney hopefully matures into a consistent opener at Test level.

Speaking with Wide World of Sports, Khawaja said he tries to put the team first and focus on scoring runs and let the rest take care of itself.

“It’s actually the opposite; I try to stop myself doing that [clinging to his place in the side] as much as possible,” Khawaja said.

“I think everything’s got an end, there’s an expiry date on everything, and when you hold on too tight you stop focusing on the things that matter. I’m still out there, I’m trying to score as many runs as I can, trying to put my team in the best positions to win games, and I don’t want to be thinking, ‘I want to play for Australia for this many games, that many games’.”

Khawaja has scored 5,451 runs at an average of 45.80, including 15 centuries and 26 50s in his 73 Tests.

He could have played many more Tests had he not been dropped by a lengthy stint under former coach Justin Langer.

Khawaja has played like a man making up for lost time since being recalled to the team and scoring two hundreds in his return Test and he hasn’t looked back.

The star opener now feels he could play for another three years if his body lets him.

“I’m still enjoying it. I’ve said all along, if I stop enjoying it, my body gives up or something happens, I’ll be sure to pull the pin,” Khawaja said.

“But I don’t really think about that and I don’t know when it’s going to be. It could be in one game’s time, it could be in three years’ time.”

Australia have a busy schedule over the next year, before the Ashes start and Khawaja wants to take it a series at a time, but he admits he would love another shot at England after their drawn series on English soil in 2023.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead but I’d like to play another Ashes,” Khawaja said.

“I don’t think I’m expiring.

“We have these five games coming up [against India], we have Sri Lanka, potentially a World Test Championship [final], then we have a series in the West Indies, then after all of that we have the series against England, the Ashes. So it’s so far away.

“... I love playing cricket, I’m still enjoying it, I’d love to play another Ashes and that’s certainly on the cards, but also, just let me play one game at a time.”
SOURCE: https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...24-usman-khawaja-targets-ashes-40year-record-
retirement-plan-australia-vs-india-first-test-perth/news-story/a497a2bb918465f1bec6f6de08fc3734?s=08
 
right after that award he couldnt perform again.. just wasting opening slot of his team!
 
Michael Clarke stated during a show on a sports media outlet:

"A lot of people don't like taking first ball, so the opening batters rotate. Khawaja took the first ball in the first innings and now they're saying it's McSweeney (for the second innings)."

"I think Uzzie should have said, 'youngster, get down the other end, even though we're going to rotate, even though I don't like taking it, it's my time'. (He should have said) 'I'm a senior player. I'm 38 years of age in a week's time. Listen here, youngster, I know you want to do it (but) get down there. It's my turn'. I think Uzzie should have owned that moment."
 
People are unloading against Khawaja for letting Mcsweeney face the ball against Bumrah

au.sports.yahoo.com

Usman Khawaja furore goes from bad to worse after Michael Clarke rips Aussie star

Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are both copping it. Read more here.
au.sports.yahoo.com au.sports.yahoo.com

Usman Khawaja furore deepens with ugly dismissal after Michael Clarke rips Aussie Test star​

The Australian opener copped backlash for exposing Nathan McSweeney, and then fell early on day four.​

 
BouncerGuy said:
‘Don’t think I’m expiring’: Usman Khawaja eyes 40-year first in historic Ashes push

Australian opener Usman Khawaja is wary of holding onto his place in the Test side too long, but he admits another Ashes series in Australia next year is in his sights — and he could even play on past it.

It has been 40 years since someone has represented Australia at the age of 39 or older at Test level when Bob Holland played against India in the 1985-86 series.

Khawaja turns 39 next summer and, without looking too far ahead, is hopeful he will still be playing against England this time next year.

With Australia searching for a replacement for David Warner after picking Nathan McSweeney from nowhere, keeping Khawaja’s experience could prove vital in ushering in the new wave of young Australian openers.

Sam Konstas is considered a certainty to play for Australia in the future, but at 19 might need a couple of strong Shield seasons to get him ready for Test cricket.

Keeping Khawaja as a rock at the top of the order could buy Australia valuable time while Konstas develops and McSweeney hopefully matures into a consistent opener at Test level.

Speaking with Wide World of Sports, Khawaja said he tries to put the team first and focus on scoring runs and let the rest take care of itself.

“It’s actually the opposite; I try to stop myself doing that [clinging to his place in the side] as much as possible,” Khawaja said.

“I think everything’s got an end, there’s an expiry date on everything, and when you hold on too tight you stop focusing on the things that matter. I’m still out there, I’m trying to score as many runs as I can, trying to put my team in the best positions to win games, and I don’t want to be thinking, ‘I want to play for Australia for this many games, that many games’.”

Khawaja has scored 5,451 runs at an average of 45.80, including 15 centuries and 26 50s in his 73 Tests.

He could have played many more Tests had he not been dropped by a lengthy stint under former coach Justin Langer.

Khawaja has played like a man making up for lost time since being recalled to the team and scoring two hundreds in his return Test and he hasn’t looked back.

The star opener now feels he could play for another three years if his body lets him.

“I’m still enjoying it. I’ve said all along, if I stop enjoying it, my body gives up or something happens, I’ll be sure to pull the pin,” Khawaja said.

“But I don’t really think about that and I don’t know when it’s going to be. It could be in one game’s time, it could be in three years’ time.”

Australia have a busy schedule over the next year, before the Ashes start and Khawaja wants to take it a series at a time, but he admits he would love another shot at England after their drawn series on English soil in 2023.

“I don’t want to look too far ahead but I’d like to play another Ashes,” Khawaja said.

“I don’t think I’m expiring.

“We have these five games coming up [against India], we have Sri Lanka, potentially a World Test Championship [final], then we have a series in the West Indies, then after all of that we have the series against England, the Ashes. So it’s so far away.

“... I love playing cricket, I’m still enjoying it, I’d love to play another Ashes and that’s certainly on the cards, but also, just let me play one game at a time.”
SOURCE: https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...24-usman-khawaja-targets-ashes-40year-record-
retirement-plan-australia-vs-india-first-test-perth/news-story/a497a2bb918465f1bec6f6de08fc3734?s=08
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Didn't realize Khawaja was close to 40! He looks younger than that.

Anyway, I expect him to be dropped or retire soon.
 
Usman Khawaja in last 10 Tests innings:

13(35)
4(13)
8(19)
11(24)
16(45)
28(69)
33(118)
10(17)
75(131)
9*(20)
 
Time to find the 2nd opener as well??

Usman is going nowhere atm. He looked like a walking wicket.
 
Lol whole of Aussie batting line-up is pathetic and they all average under 30 this year.

Usman khawaja looks worse day by day. Time to hang his gloves.
He is done and dusted.
 
Usman Khawaja set to be part of PSL 10 draft. Your thoughts on him being part of the PSL again?
 
good t20 batsman, good psl record, decent social media presence, would be a decent signing given lack of batsmen in general in the league.
 
Gone for 57 runs today against India in the 4th Test of the series. Bumnrah got better of him yet again.

Khawaja vs Bumrah this series
Six innings
87 balls
24 runs
Five dismissals
 
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BouncerGuy said:
Gone for 57 runs today against India in the 4th Test of the series. Bumnrah got better of him yet again.

Khawaja vs Bumrah this series
Six innings
87 balls
24 runs
Five dismissals
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Another dismissal, Khawaja bhai is going to have nightmares.
 
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Khawaja is looking in fine form... Just scored another 50 in the 1st inning of the 1st test against Sri Lanka...
 
BouncerGuy said:
Khawaja is looking in fine form... Just scored another 50 in the 1st inning of the 1st test against Sri Lanka...
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Converted his 50 into a hundred.
His first one in Sri Lanka...What an inning this is from veteran opener
 
I haven't watched this match but he was a guy who was for a long time known for his frailties against spin. He's banged out some big runs in Asia now in the second half of his career. It's a real credit to his tenacity and hard work. Lessons for Bobby.
 
Well played Usman albeit against a very inept bowling attack.
Aussie batsmen feasting on some insipid bowling
Usman has made more runs in one knock than he probably did the whole last year. 2024 was a struggle for him.
 
So happy for Usman Khawaja getting among the runs again with this big knock. He’s a great bloke and deserves this. 16 test centuries puts him in the list of some of the finest test batters ever.
 
Aami said:
Really? Other than today when did he make runs?
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He has tons in Pakistan, India, UAE and Sri Lanka.

Its a good return for an Aussie batsman

1738225050632.png

And yes I am aware that hit stats cant be compared to Border or Ponting etc because of differences in eras and teams but they are impressive nonetheless.
 
BouncerGuy said:
1st test DOUBLE HUNDRED by an Australia batter in Sri Lanka... Take a bow USMAN KHAWAJA...
what a fantastic inning this is so far.
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232 by Usman Khawaja is the third highest by a visiting batter in Sri Lanka behind Chris Gayle's 333 at the same venue in 2010 and Stephen Fleming's unbeaten 274 at Colombo PSS in 2003. The previous highest for Australia in the country was Justin Langer's 166 at Colombo SSC in 2004.

tLnDfM7.png
 
DeadlyVenom said:
He has tons in Pakistan, India, UAE and Sri Lanka.

Its a good return for an Aussie batsman

View attachment 150259

And yes I am aware that hit stats cant be compared to Border or Ponting etc because of differences in eras and teams but they are impressive nonetheless.
Click to expand...
Well, my recent memory is against India where he struggled
 
Khawaja locked in as Australia face selection headache ahead of WTC Final

A dominant performance with the bat against Sri Lanka in Galle has left Australia with plenty of ponder ahead of the World Test Championship Final.

Stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith is backing in-form batter Usman Khawaja to prolong his international career and maintain his opening role for this year's ICC World Test Championship Final and upcoming Ashes series.

Khawaja scored his highest Test score during Australia's crushing victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle, with the left-hander contributing a vital innings of 232 to move into the top five leading run-scorers for the current World Test Championship cycle.

While Khawaja recently turned 38 and is facing a fresh battle from the likes of teenager Sam Konstas to maintain his place at the top of the batting order ahead of a busy upcoming Test period, Smith sees no reason why the veteran can't continue in the role for as long as he wishes.

“He’s still batting exceptionally well and age is only a number,” Smith said of Khawaja.

“He’s still doing everything right, he’s catching well in the slips, he’s a senior figure. He’s batting really well. I’m not a selector, but I’m sure as long as he wants to play then I’m happy with him there for sure.

“Batting at the top of the order at the moment, particularly in Australia, is as hard as I’ve seen in my career. The amount of seam movement, and you throw into that he’s facing Jasprit Bumrah throughout the summer with a brand new ball, fresh every time. There’s probably not a much bigger threat in world cricket at the moment or almost ever.

“He’s batting nicely, it’s just tough at the moment. Fortunately here the last few times he’s played on the sub-continent, he’s come with such a clear method, a really effective method and stuck to it for long periods. He’s tough to set a field to when he’s able to manipulate the field.”

While Khawaja's spot at the top of the order seemingly looks locked in for the World Test Championship Final in June against South Africa, Australia face a fresh selection headache as they try and squeeze all their best players into their XI for the one-off Test.

Konstas shown enough during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series to put his hand up for selection, debutant Josh Inglis threw his hat into the ring with a century on debut against Sri Lanka, while star batter Travis Head looked in great touch in a relatively unfamiliar role alongside Khawaja as opener.

Injured all-rounder Cameron Green also returned to the batting crease at training in Australia and is in contention to take on the Proteas as a batter only should selectors opt to recall the highly-talented 25-year-old.

The conditions expected at Lord's for the one-off final will be vastly different to what the Aussies faced against Sri Lanka in Galle, but confidence is high within the Australian camp and Smith thinks his side can continue their winning run if they can maintain their excellent form.

"To post 650 on what was a wicket that offered a fair amount of spin, was a very good effort," Smith noted.

"It was a near-flawless performance."

ICC
 

Usman Khawaja pulls out of golf pro-am event after injury row​

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja has withdrawn from the upcoming Australian Open Pro-Am golfing tournament and sparked backlash after playing golf the day before the first Ashes Test.

Khawaja had been scheduled to play at the tournament at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club on 3 December, the day before the second Test begins in Brisbane.

But the Australian PGA said he had pulled out following this weekend’s first Test, when he was affected by back spasms.

The 38-year-old did not open the batting as usual after he fell foul of a bizarre rule at the end of England’s innings. Having left the field to receive treatment for the physical issue he failed to return before the last English wicket fell, meaning he had to stay off the pitch for 10 minutes, leaving Australia’s preferred No 3 Marnus Labuschagne and debutant Jake Weatherald to open.

He eventually came in at No 4, scoring just two runs before his dismissal by Brydon Carse, and Travis Head’s heroics meant Khawaja was not required to bat.

Reports later alleged that he had played a round of golf the evening before the Test began, drawing the ire of fans and former players.

Former fast bowler Mitchell Johnson wrote in The West Australian: “I’m not against players using golf as a way to switch off. But you’ve got to be professional too.”

Khawaja appeared to make a dig at his critics by including a picture of a golf course on an Instagram post celebrating Australia’s victory in the first Test. The post, captioned “What a week! It had it all AU”, received the approval of captain Pat Cummins, who replied with a golfer emoji.

Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg downplayed Khawaja’s decision, saying that several other members of the team had played golf prior to the start of the Test.

He told SEN: “It's not uncommon for a lot of them to play golf one day prior. A lot of people talk about cricket being played between the ears, and so getting some time away from being in your hotel or training, I think is really important.

“I think Usman’s a very seasoned campaigner. He knows his body well, and he knows how to get himself prepared for cricket, and he’s done it over a long period of time.”

However, he is a doubt for the second Test at The Gabba, with Australia coach Andrew McDonald saying: “I’m not sure where he’s at, medically.

“There was discussions around further investigation to whether [the back issue] was more serious than what we first anticipated. We get to camp in six days time so it’s a long way out, a lot of information to gather between now and then. Hopefully he’s fit and available for selection.”

www.aol.com

Usman Khawaja pulls out of golf pro-am event after injury row

Khawaja has drawn the ire of fans for playing golf the day before the start of the first Ashes Test against England
www.aol.com www.aol.com
 
Test career over for Usman Khawaja? Probably, but there's one clear pathway to a dream finale

With Usman Khawaja ruled out of the Gabba Test with a back injury, we must now ask whether this is the end of his storied international career.

The 38-year-old has played 85 Tests for Australia at an average of 43.56, has made 16 centuries and 6055 runs and will be remembered as one of the great openers of the 2020s.

But there's no arguing with recent form.

Khawaja has made one score above 50 in 2025, and that was his career high of 232 in Sri Lanka in January.

His next most recent century was in June of 2023. He has averaged just 31.12 since the start of 2024.

He hasn't looked the steady force at the top of the order in a long while now.

Even if he overcomes this back injury in time to play in this Ashes series, his spot will likely only become available again if Jake Weatherald or Travis Head falter.

Weatherald, even in the worst case scenario, will have to be given until Melbourne to find his feet, while backflipping on Head opening so quickly would not reflect well on the selectors.

Set to turn 39 before the Boxing Day Test, it's hard to imagine clear ways back into the team for Khawaja, and it's starting to look less likely that the selectors would try to force it.

This Aussie XI is old enough as it is. Cameron Green is the only player in his 20s named in the 14-man Ashes squad.

Inglis, Khawaja's replacement for Brisbane, is 30 himself, but the general trend for this team is a need to find the next group of batters who will lead Australia through the rest of the 2020s.

The Sydney Morning Herald has confirmed that Khawaja is not retiring just yet, but also has not been given guarantees of a spot in the XI once he is healthy.

Back issues are no joke, and given he has said he required pain killers to get through Perth, rushing him back just because he has been the incumbent could end poorly for everyone involved.

Typically, new faces in the Test side get at least three Tests to show that they're up to the job before being dispensed with. That may mean that Weatherald needs to fail in at least four more innings if not six to open the door for a possible Khawaja return this summer.

The delicious scenario that could unfold would be a 2-1 or 2-2 scoreline when the series arrives in Sydney, with the Weatherald/Head partnership failing to fire. There's no doubt that if that circumstance presented, a Khawaja finale would at the very least be discussed by selectors, potentially setting the scene for one last great knock to salvage a result against the old enemy in front of family and friends.

It would be a script writer's dream and certainly stranger things have happened in Australian cricket. With all that said, it's no more than an outside chance.

If this is it for the modern great, it won't be the finish Khawaja had hoped for, but it shouldn't dampen what has been a remarkable career either.

He has put together a 15-year Test career, starting in the flames of Australia's worst Ashes defeat on home soil back in 2011 and peaking in 2022 with his dominance upon returning to the top of the order.

Across nine innings in 2022, he made four tons, two 90s and an unbeaten 44. It's one of the hottest streaks of any Australian Test batter this century.

He won the Shane Warne Test Player of the Year award for his dominance in 2022 and followed it up with big scores in India and England in 2023.

And that will no doubt be what he will is remembered for, as well as being the first Pakistani born man to receive a baggy green.

There's no doubt he will have a role with Cricket Australia going forward, he would even make a fantastic commentator for any broadcaster.

But this injury situation has presented the selectors with a chance to move on and look to the future, and it's one they should not pass up.

www.nine.com.au

Career over? Khawaja's only pathway back for a Test farewell

Scenario that could open door for dream finale
www.nine.com.au www.nine.com.au
 
Former Australian captain Kim Hughes calls for Usman Khawaja to 'sail off into the sunset' amid opening batsman debate

Former Australian cricket captain Kim Hughes believes it is time for Usman Khawaja to "set sail into the sun set" and let a new talent take over the reigns as opening batsman.

A dark cloud has placed a shadow over the future of Khawaja on the international stage, with many questioning if this year's Ashes series will be his last call-up to the squad.

The 38-year-old has been a vital player in the squad for several years, but his recent decline in form and battle with injury has continued to raise questions about his future.

Khawaja was ruled out of the second Ashes Test due to a back injury, which also caused him issues throughout the first Test and left him unable to open for Australia.

However, while that injury has been a notable talking point in the build-up to the pink ball Test, others have called for selectors to acknowledge that may be Khawaja is no longer the best choice to opening the batting.

Khawaja has only made one score above 50 this year and his last century came in June 2023. Throughout the 2024 season, he averaged 31.12.

It is statistics like those that have Hughes confident Khawaja's time is up.

"Usman Khawaja has been pretty well looked after," he told 3AW's Wide World of Sports.

"His performances over the last year and a half haven't been that great at all.

"I would be quite happy for him to set sail into the sunset.

'He has been a very, very good player but it is time for somebody else."

Even when he is not in amongst the action, Khawaja can not escape the headlines, most recently receiving mixed reaction about his claim the Perth pitch was a "piece of ****".

Khawaja did not receive any punishment from Cricket Australia for his comment.

Still, that comment did not sit well with Hughes, rather it only added fuel to the fire as to why the 71-year-old believes it is time for Khawaja to head out the door.

"For him to come out and say that the wicket was ****, it was just ridiculous," he added.

"The ICC gave it a top rating - and it was. It was a quick wicket that is typical to Perth.

"For him to come out and say that, you know what, that wreaked of sour grapes."

Turning his attention back to who would be the ideal replacement for Khawaja, there were several contenders who came to the front of mind for Hughes.

One of the favoured contenders to take on the role for the second Test is Travis Head, who has earned mass praise for his second innings heroics in Perth.

The likes of Mark Taylor and Simon Katich have backed Head to open at the Gabba, however, Hughes disagrees.

"Well, the thing with it is the two openers, they are specialist positions," Hughes said.

"You can mix and match with who bats at 4, 5 or 6. It doesn't change much at all, if anything.

"But as opener, it is a specialist position. Travis Head, he was freakish in Perth, there is no doubt about that. But England didn't bowl well, mind you Travis still had to play well. Travis is not a specialist opener. Give him another opportunity, but I think he is more suited to batting at No.5 where he has been absolutely fantastic.

"I think there is an opportunity there for another specialist opener to come in. Marnus Labuschange looked very good and he has been fantastic batting at No.3.

"Josh Inglis, you know, he is a middle order player ... I'm sure with Travis Head that he has a great attitude and will get out there. But if he misses out, then all of a sudden we are back to square one and we need another opening batsman again."

The first ball of the second Test will be bowled at 3pm AEDT on Thursday, December 4.

www.nine.com.au

Great calls for Uzzie to 'sail off into the sunset'

'It is time for somebody else'
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The Ashes: Australia's Usman Khawaja ready for series recall as he stresses commitment to Test cricket

Australia opener Usman Khawaja says he remains committed to Test cricket as he waits to find out if he still has a role to play in the Ashes.

Khawaja turns 39 on Thursday, day two of the third Ashes Test, and is inching closer to the end of his time in international cricket.

He started the series against England in Perth but suffered back spasms that saw him drop down the order in both innings and Travis Head promoted in his place at the Gabba last week.

The selectors have retained the 85-cap veteran in their squad amid suggestions that they could restore Head to his usual spot in the middle order and Khawaja insists he is ready to go.

"I'm still valued by the team, still asked to be here to play, so I'm here. One hundred per cent fit," he told reporters in Adelaide.

"I'm not here to hang on, I'm just here to enjoy my cricket. As long as I'm valued I'm here, I'm doing my job. I just like to compete. I can bat so many different ways. I've been successful in all formats, I've got gears when I want to.

"My sample size will tell you that you've got to find a way to be consistent for a long period of time, not just over a game or two."

Australian radio station 92.7 Mix FM tracked down the England cricket team relaxing on the beach for some sledging, which was taken in good spirits by Ben Stokes!

Khawaja was criticised in some quarters for playing a golf tournament on the eve of the series, then pulling up injured during the opening game.

Some even questioned his dedication to the team but with a 14-year international career under his belt, he feels there is no case to answer.

"I could have retired two years ago. I could have retired any time. I'm still very committed," he said.

"I am the guy who, as much as people sometimes want to have a crack at me, I love playing for Australia. I train hard, I do everything right.

"For me, it's more about just being a professional. People can have opinions, that's absolutely no worry to me. I can't sit down and worry about what other people think, especially outside of the squad."

Hazlewood determined to continue with Test cricket despite Ashes heartbreak

Australia quick Josh Hazlewood has said he is determined to persist in all three formats despite missing the entire Ashes series because of injury.

"My body still feels as strong as ever. It's just little things here and there that creep in. I'm still determined to play three formats as best I can," he told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

"You're still going to miss the odd game here and there; no one can do it all, unless you're a batter, but I still enjoy all the different demands of the three formats.

"It keeps it fresh getting ready and preparing for each different format."

Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket podcast, Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton debate Brendon McCullum's 'overprepared' claim as England head into a crucial third Test against Australia in Adelaide.

Hazlewood, 34, sat out Australia's victories in Perth and Brisbane with a hamstring issue and is now being troubled by an Achilles problem, with the paceman working to be fit for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.

"Once you're injured mid-series or just before a series starts, you're chasing your tail a lot of the time anyway," he added.

"I probably could have got back for one or two tests with the hamstring, but then you leave yourself quite vulnerable going into a test match on the back of not much.

"Every day you're not bowling is another day you've got to bowl to get back to where you were.

"Obviously things are easier when you're up and going and you've got some good work under you."

www.skysports.com

The Ashes: Australia's Usman Khawaja ready for series recall as he stresses commitment to Test cricket

Australia opener Usman Khawaja declares himself 100 per cent fit to play in the Ashes third Test; The 38-year-old started against England in Perth but suffered back spasms which saw him drop down the order and then omitted from the Gabba as Travis Head opened
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Usman's last-minute selection for the third Ashes went pretty well... Scored a handy 82 runs after replacing Smith in the last moments due to him being injured.
 
Never liked him as a batsman, never will. But useful and good knock today. After that initial drop, he looked pretty good and relaxed. Anything against England is a very good contribution :dhoni
 
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