Sydney Test a great opportunity for Usman Khawaja to retire: Michael Clarke

The year 2023 was a dream run for Usman Khawaja in Test cricket, where he scored 1210 runs across 13 matches at an average of 52.60. However, year 2024 has been nowhere close for the Australia's premier opening batter. After 2023's impressive show, Khawaja has managed only 415 runs in nine matches, and the average has dipped down badly to 25.93, which is underwhelming for the reputation he holds.

As a result, the cricketing fraternity has started talks around the possible retirement of the 38-year-old. Adding to that, former Australian skipper Michael Clarke has opined that Khawaja should hang up his boots from international cricket with the New Year's Test of the ongoing series against India, which is set to be played at Khawaja's home turf, the Sydney Cricket Ground, in Sydney.

“This is Uzzie's home Test match, the SCG. He has been an amazing player, absolutely amazing player. Come back in, score runs overseas, score runs in Australia. He is 38 years of age, I think it could be a great opportunity for Uzzie to announce his retirement, and Sydney to be his last Test," said Clarke on the Beyond 23 podcast.

“I know he would like to keep playing. His form has not been as good as he would like throughout this series. I know we have got a trip to Sri Lanka, and then we have got the Ashes. There is a lot of cricket in between, but I also think that could be a great opportunity for a new player to come in, open the batting, get some Test match cricket under their belt before the first Ashes Test match," he added.

Khawaja has had a stellar Test career, which has spanned for almost fifteen years so far. In fact, the left-hand batter debuted during the Sydney Test of the 2010-11 edition of the Ashes, and has ever since, represented the Baggy Greens across 77 matches. The Islamabad-born has over 5,592 runs at an impressive career average of 44.38. His standout performance, though, came at the 2023 Ashes where he was the orchestrator for Australia with the bat, scoring 496 runs in 10 innings at an average of 49.60.

If at all, the ace batter looks to call it a day after the fifth and final Test against India, Australia will have to ponder upon his replacements. Currently, Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas seem to be on the radar for the spot, and either of them are expected to partner with Cameron Green, once the all-rounder returns from injury.