The final of the ICC World Test Championship is set to take place between Australia and South Africa starting June 11. As the high-stakes match approaches, veteran Australian batter Usman Khawaja finds himself in the spotlight – not just for his performance, but for ongoing speculation surrounding his retirement.

At 38, Khawaja is currently playing only Test cricket for Australia and has been a key figure in the team for many years. A recent dip in form had triggered retirement talks, but the left-hander has finally addressed the rumours and shared his future plans.

What Did Khawaja Say About Retirement?

Speaking to the ICC, Usman Khawaja said “Age is just a number for me. I’m still enjoying my game, I’m scoring runs, contributing to the team, and I still have the hunger for more.”

While his bat was quiet during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, he silenced critics with a brilliant double century on the following tour of Sri Lanka proving he still has plenty left in the tank.

Usman Khawaja’s International Career

Usman Khawaja made his Test debut for Australia in 2011 against England. Since then, he has played 80 Test matches and batted in 144 innings, amassing 5,930 runs at an impressive average of 45.61. His Test career includes 16 centuries and 27 half-centuries, making him one of Australia’s most reliable red-ball players in recent years.

In addition to Test cricket, Khawaja has also represented Australia in white-ball formats. He has played 40 One Day Internationals (ODIs), scoring 1,554 runs at an average of 42, including two centuries. He has also featured in 9 T20 Internationals.

With the World Test Championship Final just days away, Khawaja’s experience and form could prove vital for Australia. And as he’s made clear – he’s not done yet.