Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Usman Khawaja should be given the freedom to decide when to step away from Test cricket.
Speaking ahead of the final Ashes match between Australia and England, Vaughan said that the veteran opener has earned the right to control his own future.
There is speculation that Khawaja’s upcoming Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground against England could be his last for Australia. The veteran, who turned 39 during the Ashes series, has looked comfortable since shifting to the middle order. However, Australia selectors are keen to rebuild an ageing Test side.
Speculation Grows Over Usman Khawaja’s Future Amid Recent Form
Talk around Usman Khawaja’s future has increased in recent weeks, but the batter himself has not said anything about retirement. Australia coach Andrew McDonald also stated that there have been no discussions with Khawaja about his future.
Khawaja began the Ashes series as Australia’s regular opener, but his role changed after he suffered back spasms in Perth. He missed the Brisbane Test and was expected to miss the next Test in Adelaide. He returned to the side later in the match, batting at No. 4, after Steven Smith fell ill.
The 39-year-old has averaged 25.93 and 36.11 across the past two seasons. In 2025, he scored 614 runs in 18 innings, with one hundred and one fifty. His only century this year came against Sri Lanka, when he scored a big double hundred earlier in the tour.
You Decide Your Destiny – Michael Vaughan on Usman Khawaja’s Retirement
Former England captain Michael Vaughan backed Usman Khawaja to decide his future ahead of the Sydney Ashes Test. With the final Ashes Test set to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Vaughan believes Khawaja should enjoy the moment and not let external pressure dictate his decision.
“I would say to Usman, ‘Don’t let them decide. You decide your destiny’. When someone has been playing for so long, we’ve just got to let them decide. Usman has had an incredible career and not many get the chance to say goodbye on their own terms at their own venue,” Vaughan said as quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald.
I Can’t Think of a Better Way to Say Goodbye Than… – Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan feels Usman Khawaja has a rare chance to finish his career at his home ground. Vaughan added that it would be an ideal farewell unless Khawaja believes he still has the drive to push on beyond the series.
“If he doesn’t do that, he runs the risk of his career ending not on his own terms. I can’t think of a better way to say goodbye than at his home ground in an Ashes series. If Uzzie has got the energy and capacity to really want to fight on, yeah, I could see that happening, but leaving in Sydney in an Ashes series sounds pretty good to me,” Vaughan added.