Crash: How Usman Khawaja’s back injury gives him the chance to retire with dignity

Usman Khawaja may be cursing his back after being ruled out of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. But the injury may actually be the perfect opportunity for him to make a call on his future and go out with dignity, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

Usman Khawaja may be cursing his bad back but there is one potential bonus.

Being ruled out of the second Test through injury gives Khawaja the chance to leave the game on his terms and in a dignified fashion if he wants to announce his retirement from Test cricket over the next few days.

If he goes this way Khawaja could be given a lap of the Gabba on the weekend with his family. There’s plenty of worse ways to finish. Most veterans just get quietly tapped on the shoulder and vanish.

It would be a fitting end to an exceptional and underrated international career for Khawaja’s record is better than he is widely given credit for.

Usman Khawaja has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test. Picture: Getty Images

Who knows what discussions have taken place between Khawaja and the selectors but for the moment his career exit is still in his own hands.

If he retires now it will be his call.

The strong prevailing sentiment is that Australia will not go back in time now that Khawaja is out of the side.

If Australia wins in Brisbane that would be the end.

If they lose and Travis Head and Jake Weatherald failed spectacularly the selectors may think about recalling him. But it is only an extremely rough chance.

Head has dropped more hints than you’d see on a full series of The Bachelor about his desire to open and surely he and Weatherald will be given a solid run, particularly as they know each other so well.

His back injury may be a blessing for Khawaja, who now has the opportunity to retire on his own terms. Picture: Liam Kidston

Australia has changed its mind eight times on its opening duo since David Warner retired just two years ago.

It’s getting silly. At some point you have to say “right … you two have got the rest of the series.’’

Beyond Head and Weatherald, Khawaja’s great mate Matt Renshaw, with three Sheffield Shield centuries this season, is poised to be the next opener selected.

It will be interesting to see whether selection chairman George Bailey tells Khawaja that the chances of a return are very low which would be a subtle message to make the big call.

Australia has changed its mind eight times on its opening duo since David Warner retired in January 2024. Picture: Getty Images

If this is the end for Khawaja he can be hugely satisfied with his 85 Test career and a robust average of 43.

His was a potholed road to the top. He was dropped six times and took time to find his groove and the making of him came after he was made Queensland captain and all but gave up hope of playing for Australia.

Suddenly he shed the anxiety he had been carrying like a lead weight throughout his career.

Soon he will transition to the commentary box and, with his forthright views and intelligence of the qualified pilot that he is, should work well in the Fox team where he can bounce off David Warner.

Originally published as Crash: How Usman Khawaja’s back injury gives him the chance to retire with dignity