'I’d still like to play the Ashes at a bare minimum' - Usman Khawaja spills the beans on retirement plans

Prolific Australia opener Usman Khawaja had a forgettable run with the bat during the recently-concluded Border-Gavaskar series and it prompted former national Captain Michael Clarke to suggest that he should consider retirement. However, the opening batter feels that he has more to offer in international cricket.

Khawaja managed to score just 184 runs from 10 innings at an average of 20.44 against India. In 2024, he scored just a couple of half-centuries from 18 innings. Sam Konstas, who made his debut in the series, showed a lot of promise at the top of the order. Also, the likes of Nathan McSweeney, Cameron Bancroft, and Marcus Harris have been putting in solid performances in the domestic circuit, adding more pressure on Khawaja to perform.

However, the 38-year-old is hoping to play at least till the Ashes, which begins later this year. The southpaw said that he will look to continue playing beyond the high-voltage series as long as the team is winning and he is contributing.

“Over the next three to four years, there’s going to be a lot of transition going on. I’m quite attuned to that and I still want to play and I want to keep playing for as long as I can. But I also know there might be a right time to slip out. If I’m still playing and the selectors are like, ‘We feel like the time’s come’, it’s, ‘You let me know and I can slide out’,” Khawaja was quoted as saying by roar.com.

Also Read: Ricky Ponting feels Australia should pick Sam Konstas for two Tests against Sri Lanka

“There’s definitely those thoughts (bowing out in Sydney) in my head, I’m not afraid to talk about that. I’m human. I’d still like to play the Ashes at a bare minimum. I try not to think too far ahead, that’s as far ahead as I’ll think. As long as we’re winning, I’m still contributing, my body’s still feeling good, I’ll play. For me it always feels more like one summer at a time (rather than retiring after the Ashes),” he added.

Khawaja's next WTC assignment will be away from home

Meanwhile, speaking of Usman Khawaja, the ravishing opener will look to bounce back during Australia's upcoming two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. The first Test begins on Wednesday, January 29, at the Galle International Stadium.