In a thrilling conclusion to the Ashes series, Australia claimed victory by five wickets in the final Test against England, sealing the series with a 4-1 triumph. Usman Khawaja, who bid farewell to international cricket in this match, shared his emotional experience at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Reflecting on his retirement, the seasoned batsman expressed, “It means a lot. So much effort has gone into this journey. All I wanted was a win, just as much as I wanted to score the winning runs. Throughout the match, I struggled to keep my emotions in check and found it challenging to maintain my focus. I am truly grateful for the career I’ve experienced; it has been a remarkable journey. It definitely got a bit intense out there, but we got the job done.”
The 39-year-old Khawaja amassed an impressive total of 6,206 runs over 87 Test matches and 157 innings, boasting an average of 43.39. His record includes 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries in the longest format of the game. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he scored 1,554 runs in 40 matches, averaging 42, which includes two centuries and 12 fifties. Additionally, his T20 International stats show 241 runs in nine matches, featuring one half-century.
On another note, Australia’s Mitchell Starc made headlines by joining a prestigious group of players who have taken 30 or more wickets in the Ashes during this century. The left-arm pacer achieved five wickets in the final match, bringing his total for the series to 31 wickets across 10 innings, with an impressive average of 19.93 and two five-wicket hauls. Starc now stands alongside cricket legends like Shane Warne, Mitchell Johnson, and Glenn McGrath, who have all reached this milestone in past Ashes series.