Usman Khawaja's big call on retirement amid search for David Warner replacement
The Australian opener has opened up on his future.
Usman Khawaja has opened up on his cricket future in the test team as David Warner's career comes to an end after the Australian summer. Warner might have hinted he is not done with One Day International cricket after winning the World Cup, but he has already announced his upcoming retirement from the red-ball format.
This will leave a position open next to Khawaja at the top of the order, which Warner has filled for more than a decade. And Khawaja has discussed his own future in the baggy green.
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The 36-year-old won the Allan Border Medal in 2022 after a sensational year as opener. Finding career-best form later in his career, Khawaja doesn't feel like it is his time to finish playing for his nation.
And despite claiming he could retire at any time if his body gives up, the opener admitted he is enjoying his time out in the middle. “There are some things that are out of your control, like how the body’s going,” Khawaja said on Nova 106.9 Radio.
“It’s also how the mind is. Are you able to go to competitive training every day? The hard yards that you did 10 years ago, are you still doing that? I’m still really enjoying the games, I don’t really have a finishing line. It’s not about what age I’m at, it’s more about the factors, if one of them drops off, then I’ll think maybe it’s time. It just hasn’t dropped off yet.”
Khawaja helped Australia retain the Ashes with a 2-2 draw with England, which followed a World Test Championship trophy against India. The Australian is well rested ahead of the upcoming summer, which will be the last with batting partner Warner in the Pakistan series.
Looking beyond Australia's summer of cricket, Khawaja will most likely travel to New Zealand for a two-test series in February. There is quite a break before a five-test series against India in November.
There are a number of candidates to take over the position with Cameron Bancroft appearing the front-runner after another strong Sheffield Shield season. Although Marcus Harris was preferred in this year's Ashes series.
David Warner to return home from India
Warner was expected to play in the T20 series against India, which controversially starts on five days after the World Cup final. However, with the Pakistan series fast-approaching, Warner is ready for a rest alongside.
The series kicks off on Friday (just five days after the World Cup final), and has been widely panned with Warner, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Mitch Marsh having all arrived home on Wednesday rather than playing. Coach Andrew McDonald is also departing India for a break.
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