Australia's veteran opening batsman, <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ashes-usman-khawaja-announces-retirement-from-international-cricket-23610298" rel="nofollow">Usman Khawaja</a>, announced that the fifth and final Test match of the ongoing Ashes series will be his last international appearance for the side.
Over the years, Usman, along with David Warner, had provided stability, but after the latter's retirement, Australia have tried several options at the top but has tasted limited success.
Khawaja has almost opened the innings with five different batsmen after Warner's retirement. The constant attempts by the Australian management to fill in Warner's shoes have now put themselves under pressure to find another player to match Khawaja's ability.
Currently, players such as <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/photo/ind-vs-aus-3rd-odi-travis-head-dethrones-steve-smith-to-become-fastest-to-3000-odi-runs-for-australia-107946/6" rel="nofollow">Travis Head</a>, Marnus Labuschagne, and Sam Konstas can emerge as better options to replace Khawaja and Warner at the top. However, the question arises whether these players can sustain their consistency for a long period.
Despite rough patches in his career, Khawaja's presence has always provided stability in Australia's batting lineup, but with him stepping away from international cricket, it will be interesting to see which players form Australia's new opening pair.
Khawaja made the announcement of him drawing curtains on his career at the media conference. Speaking at the conference, he said, "I guess moving into this series, I had an inkling this would be the last series. I'm glad I can go out on my own terms".
<h2>Usman Khawaja's statistics</h2>
The left-hander has made 87 Test appearances for <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ashes-australia-todd-murphy-speaks-about-pitch-at-sydney-cricket-ground-23610176" rel="nofollow">Australia</a> and has smashed 6206 runs, with a top score of 232 runs. He also has 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries to his name in the format. The 39-year-old cricketer also featured in 40 ODI matches and garnered 1554 runs. With a career best score of 104 runs, he also has two tons and 12 half-centuries.
Khawaja also represented Australia in nine T20I matches and has accumulated 241 runs, including a top score of 58 runs. He has just one half-century to his name in the shortest format of the game.
The fifth and final Test match of the Ashes series is scheduled to be played from January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australia has already retained the title by taking a lead of 3-1 against the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ashes-jacob-bethell-keen-on-dominating-number-three-spot-in-england-squad-23609998" rel="nofollow">England</a>.

Usman Khawaja has made 87 Test appearances for Australia and has smashed 6206 runs, with a top score of 232 runs. He also has 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries

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