Usman Khawaja’s farewell Test appearance came with a five-wicket victory for Australia in the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. The 39-year-old, who had announced his Test retirement days before the Test, would have preferred to score the winning runs, but felt that the result mattered more than his personal milestones.
On the final morning, Khawaja led the Australian team onto the field on Day 5 as his teammates instinctively held back, allowing him to take in the occasion. Later, when he walked out to bat in Australia’s fourth innings during the chase of a modest 160, the England players formed a guard of honour near the pitch, acknowledging a career that spanned 15 years and 88 Tests.
Speaking after the win, Khawaja reflected on the emotional weight of his final appearance.
“It means a lot. So much has gone into it, so long. It’s funny, the game of cricket is so great. And I said to Rach this morning, she was like, just enjoy it. The only thing I wanted was to win. Finish off the Ashes with a win. I’d love nothing more. As much as I wanted to go out there and score runs and hit the winning runs, I’m just grateful for one last final win and celebrate with my teammates,” he said.
Khawaja’s individual returns in his farewell Test were modest, 17 and 6 across the two innings, but he revealed that the occasion made it difficult to maintain his usual focus.
“It was very tough. I was trying to act cool, but in the intense Test match, I found it really hard to control my emotions,” he said.
“I’ve prided myself on being able to control my emotions my whole career. I haven’t given away too much to the opposition or to anyone. 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, it was… my whole career, particularly the last end of the career has been built on process, process, process.
“It’s just so hard to go out there and concentrate. But 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,” he added.
Australia’s victory ensured the urn stayed firmly in their possession and capped a dominant series performance.
For Khawaja, it also marked a poignant full circle, retiring in Sydney, the city where he grew up, made his first-class debut, and later earned his Test cap.