Ashes 2025-26: Usman Khawaja confirms he will retire after New Year's Test

Published - 02 Jan 2026, 10:07 IST | Updated - 02 Jan 2026, 10:22 IST

Usman Khawaja will be stepping away from international cricket after the end of the New Year's Test against England, the senior batter himself confirmed. The 39-year-old addressed the media ahead of the Sydney Test, and informed all his Australian teammates moments before making it official that his 88th Test match appearance will indeed be his last in international cricket.

"It's been tough, I've just wanted to tell everyone. I told teammates just then. I didn't think I'd get emotional but I teared up straightaway and I had to compose myself. I finally composed myself and got out what I wanted to say. I never thought I'd be the guy that would cry when he retired but I cried straightaway. It just shows what it means to me," Khawaja told the media.

"My journey has been different to a lot of cricketers in the Australian cricket team. All that emotion built up. I just want to be remembered as a humble cricketer who went out there and entertained, and (that) people enjoyed watching," he said.