Back in 2019, Usman Khawaja was dropped from Australia’s Test side during the Ashes series in England after a string of poor scores in the first three matches, and made way for Steve Smith’s return from concussion, while Marnus Labuschagne retained his place in the team. This episode underlined how swiftly selection dynamics can shift at the highest level. Khawaja has since rebuilt his Test career, but that experience remains a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change, even for senior and established players.
In the ongoing Ashes series, Usman Khawaja has aggregated 153 runs, including a fifty, at an average of 30.06 in five innings across three matches, reflecting a mixed return in a closely contested series. Even if Khawaja makes a statement in the Sydney Test, the veteran batter may still have to weigh on finishing on his terms rather than risking gradual decline. Moreover, with Australia having already secured the Ashes series, there could not be a better moment than a dignified farewell on his home soil, liberating himself from external pressure or selection uncertainty.