Former Australia captain Michael Clarke expects Usman Khawaja to retire from international cricket after the final Test match of the 2025-26 Ashes series. Khawaja endured a rough time in Test cricket in 2025, scoring 614 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 36.11 with one hundred and fifty. He scored 232 against Sri Lanka in January and had to wait for the Adelaide Test against England this month to score another 50.
With many wondering what’s next for the 39-year-oldClarke said he expected the SCG Test to be Khawaja’s last game. The former Australian captain hopes the veteran can take a big bow and bow high in front of the home crowd.
“I think it will be Usman’s farewell Test match,” Clarke told Code Sports on Tuesday (December 30).
“I don’t think it’s a token pick; obviously they’ve picked him for Melbourne, so if they’ve gone in that direction, pick him for Sydney as well.”
“But I think he’ll go after this Test match. Australia will win the series. Hopefully they’ll win by a big score. I’d love to see Uz make a hundred at the SCG and go out on a high because not many people get that opportunity.”
Australian coach Andrew McDonald has dismissed rumors of Khawaja’s exit saying that all the noise is from outside and he does not feel the southpaw wants to quit the game at this point.
“The speculation was outside,” the Australian coach said.
“He’s with his family at the moment and has a few days off.
“We’re building into Sydney and we’re always having conversations about where the players are and we’re talking directly to the players. And there’s no indication at my end that he’s calling in Sydney.”
The last Test of the Ashes series will begin on 4 January 2026.
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Published on:
December 30, 2025
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