5 h. ago Reluctant trailblazer Khawaja confronts racial stereotypes before Sydney farewell | Taha Hashim

The first Muslim to play for Australia has been an inspiration for many in the way he has broken down barriers during his careerMore than half an hour into the press conference, with his retirement from Test cricket confirmed, Usman Khawaja was asked about the role of opening the batting and its relevance in the modern game. He answered with ease, detailing the specific mental challenges of facing the new ball. Minutes later, he was asked how Australia can unite after last month’s terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. Again, there was little hesitation before the lengthy reply. He cited the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, politicians who “try to divide and conquer” and closed with his reflections on the tragedy itself. This was no ordinary sporting farewell.Those who have tracked the path of Khawaja’s career closely will not have been surprised by the openness in the 50-minute press conference on Friday and the lines to have come from it. Reflecting on his proud journey as a Muslim bo...

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8 h. ago Sydney’s tradition of goodbyes coincides with Bazball reckoning

England have a final chance to salvage something from tour but must accept Ashes defeat was self-inflicted and changes, however limited, must be madeAs well as being a bucket list venue for players and supporters, the Sydney Cricket Ground has a reputation in England as the ground of the one-cap wonders. This is based on Mason Crane, Scott Borthwick and Boyd Rankin getting a go at the end of recent Ashes tours, rather than anything more historically substantial.If anything, as the traditional scene for the final Test of the Australian summer, the SCG is more like the Oval – the ground where careers often come to an end. And on Friday, surrounded by his family and with a fair bit to get off his chest, Usman Khawaja confirmed the final instalment of this Ashes series, starting on Sunday, will be his international farewell. Continue reading...

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14 h. ago Retiring Muslim Australia cricket star Usman Khawaja lashes out at his 'racist' critics in emotional press conference

Usman Khawaja's future has been a major talking point in the midst of the ongoing Ashes series - and he's now confirmed when he'll end his career

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16 h. ago Usman Khawaja details ‘racial stereotypes’ in Australian cricket ahead of final Test

The fifth Ashes Test in Khawaja’s hometown of Sydney will be the final act of a 15-year career in the Baggy Green

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20 h. ago How Usman Khawaja became one of the most polarising players in Australian cricket with defiant political messages

Usman Khawaja has enjoyed a very successful career at Test level for Australia - but it hasn't always been easy for the left handed opener

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21 h. ago How Usman Khawaja became one of the most polarising players in the Australian cricket side with defiant political messages

Usman Khawaja has enjoyed a very successful career at Test level for Australia - but it hasn't always been easy for the left handed opener

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22 h. ago Usman Khawaja’s retirement farewell shows how cricket can be an expression of character | Gideon Haigh

Touching on his relationship with God, his family and racism, the Australian articulates how he became a better cricketer as he became a better manThere is no gainsaying Usman Khawaja’s significance as an Australian Test cricketer; an additional mark of his stature is that he almost made you take him for granted.Think on it for a moment, and run your eye up and down the palely conventional list of Australia’s highest Test scorers, where he ranks 15th, between Mike Hussey and Neil Harvey – so various in methods yet so similar in origins. There was a recognition through the 1990s and into the 21st century that the face of Australia was being changed by immigration, while the face of Australian cricket remained eerily unaltered. Then, all of a sudden, 15 years ago, Khawaja’s darkly slim figure emerged from the shadows of the Sydney Cricket Ground to pull his first Test delivery for four, and the axis of the game tilted ever so slightly. Continue reading...

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24 h. ago Usman Khawaja hits out at ‘racial stereotypes’ after announcing retirement

The fifth Ashes Test in Khawaja’s hometown of Sydney will be the final act of a 15-year career in the Baggy Green.

Events

26 h. ago Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket

39-year-old will bat in fifth Ashes Test in SydneyAustralian played 87 Tests, scoring 6,206 runs to dateUsman Khawaja has announced he will retire from international cricket, saying the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney will be his last.The batsman’s future in Test cricket has been one of the hottest topics of this summer’s Ashes series, after he turned 39 last month. Continue reading...

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4 d. ago Australia coach Andrew McDonald says Ashes ‘done’ ahead of SCG Test

The teams reconvene for the final time at the SCG on Sunday with the hosts seeking an emphatic 4-1 win.

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4 d. ago Usman Khawaja locked in for fifth Ashes Test with ‘no indication’ of retirement plans

Australia coach Andrew McDonald guarantees veteran will play at SCG39-year-old’s future beyond series finale against England still in doubtAustralia coach Andrew McDonald has guaranteed Usman Khawaja will play at the SCG, but is unsure if it will be the veteran’s last Test.After turning 39 earlier in December, Khawaja’s future will continue to be a talking point until he announces his retirement. Continue reading...

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6 d. ago England break Ashes drought in Australia with victory in Boxing Day Test – live reaction

England chase down 175-run target for four-wicket win Over-by-over updates from Melbourne Cricket GroundTravis Head walks out to bat with his opening partner Scott Boland. Imagine if you had predicted, on the first morning at Perth, that Australia would use four openers in the first four Tests – and that Usman Khawaja would not be among them.“Dear Rob,” writes Robert Wilson. “I’ve got skin in the game as I am trying to arrange an all-night viewing sesh for day (night) three in an unexpectedly swish Aussie backpacker hostel near Stalingrad (in Paris). Logistically, it’s quite a lot of ducks to get in a row and punters fagging all the way in from below-zero Versailles or somesuch only to catch four overs while nursing a lukewarm Newky Brown might have views. Continue reading...

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2 w. ago Ashes LIVE: Forget Bazball, TRAVBALL is on display again as Travis Head and Usman Khawaja rip all hope away from England

Ashes LIVE: Follow all of the action from day three of the third Test at Adelaide Oval with Daily Mail's live coverage with the urn on the line in South Australia

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2 w. ago England and Australia question Snickometer reliability in Adelaide

The DRS technology, designed to assist umpires on edges based on audio output from the stump microphone, came under fire on the opening day.

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2 w. ago Usman Khawaja capitalises on unexpected Australia comeback as England battle hard to stay in Ashes Test

Usman Khawaja was a late replacement for Steve Smith on day one of the third Ashes Test

Events

2 w. ago Usman Khawaja defies cricketing obituaries to seize unexpected chance in third Ashes Test

Khawaja, who turns 39 years old on day two of the Adelaide Test, wasn’t initially selected but stepped up when Steve Smith was forced to withdraw

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2 w. ago Ashes LIVE: Usman Khawaja falls just short of his century as England get the upper hand again

Get all the latest scores, reaction and updates as Australia sit on the verge of retaining the urn against a desperate England side.

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2 w. ago Steve Smith out of third Test as England bid to keep Ashes series alive

The Australia batter has been suffering with illness and is replaced by Usman Khawaja in Adelaide

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2 w. ago Australia recall Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon returns after surprise omission for third Ashes Test

Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser make way and Usman Khawaja is left out despite being cleared for action

Events

2 w. ago Australia make big call over captain Pat Cummins for crunch Ashes Test

Australia’s captain is back to full fitness having missed the first two Tests

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