Former Australian captain Michael Clarke believes the upcoming Sydney Test could mark the end of Usman Khawaja’s Test career. Clarke tipped that Khawaja should retire after the final match of the Ashes 2025–26 series.
Speaking to Code Sports on Tuesday, December 30, Clarke said, “I think this will be Usman’s farewell Test match. I don’tthink it’s a token selection; they obviously picked him for Melbourne, so if they’ve gone that way, you pick him for Sydney as well,” Clarke said, adding that the selection for Melbourne showed the team’s continued faith in him.
Clarke also explained why he feels Khawaja’s retirement will come after the SCG game.
“But I think he’ll retire after this Test match. Australia will win the series. Hopefully, he goes out with a big score. I’dlove to see Uz make a hundred at the SCG and walk away on a high because not many people get that opportunity,” Clarke said.
Khawaja, who is 39 years old, has played 87 Test matches and scored 6206 runs at an average of 43.29. In 2025, he scored 614 Test runs in 10 matches at an average of 36.11.
Despite Clarke’s assumption, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald dismissed the retirement talk, saying, “The speculation has been from the external… We’ll build into Sydney, and we’re always having conversations about where players are at and speaking directly with players. And there’sno indication at my end that he’s calling it in Sydney.”
The final Ashes Test begins on January 4, 2026, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Also Read: No rush on Khawaja decision, says McDonald ahead of Sydney Test
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