Is Usman Khawaja retiring? Latest news and updates for Australian Test batsman

13-12-2023
3 min read

Usman Khawaja has less time in front of him than behind him on the international cricket stage - but the fan-favourite Australian opener isn't setting a timeframe for his retirement. 

The 36-year-old has undergone a career resurgence in recent years, reclaiming his spot in the Test lineup and scoring centuries at will for the national side, including in recent overseas tours against India and England. 

Khawaja, as well as close friend and opening partner David Warner, have been rumoured to be finishing up at the conclusion of the 2023/24 summer, with back-to-back Test series against Pakistan and West Indies scheduled. 

Warner has admitted the final game of the Pakistan series - which will be held at the Sydney - could be his last, but the jury is still out on Khawaja's future. 

The Sporting News has all the latest news and updates on Khawaja below. 

When will Usman Khawaja retire from Test cricket?

At this stage, Khawaja has remained non-committal regarding his retirement plans, explaining his situation during a recent interview with Nova 96.9 prior to the December series.

“It’s a choice at the end of the day - I could have retired five years ago, I could retire now,” he said.

“There are some things that are out of your control, like how the body’s going,” Khawaja explained.

“It’s also how the mind is. Are you able to go to competitive training every day? The hard yards that you did 10 years ago, are you still doing that? I’m still really enjoying the games, I don’t really have a finishing line.

“It’s not about what age I’m at, it’s more about the factors, if one of them drops off, then I’ll think maybe it’s time. It just hasn’t dropped off yet.”

Khawaja's average remains steady in the high-40s, with his class and experience at the top of the order proving vital for the Aussies in their run to the World Test Championship victory. 

In the past, Khawaja and Warner have both hinted at stepping away from the Test arena at the same time, but the lack of options to replace them could be a concern for selectors. 

Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw and Cameron Bancroft have all had stints in the Baggy Green with mixed results, while the likes of Henry Hunt and Bryce Street could be banging on the door in years to come. 

Usman Khawaja Test career stats

Matches Runs Average H.S 50s 100s
66 5,004 47.20 195* 24 15