As Australia put together for the ultimate chapter of the Ashes 2025–26 collection, feelings are operating excessive within the residence camp with Usman Khawaja set to play his last worldwide match. Forward of the fifth Check on the iconic Sydney Cricket Floor, Australian captain Pat Cummins shared a heartfelt message for his longtime teammate, making a particular request that completely captured the sentiment surrounding Khawaja’s swansong.
Pat Cummins’ message for a departing Usman Khawaja
Pat Cummins, who leads Australia in each Checks and ODIs, took to social media to congratulate Khawaja on a distinguished worldwide profession. Alongside together with his message, Cummins shared {a photograph} that includes the pair and expressed a easy but highly effective want — for Khawaja to log off with yet another century at his residence venue.
“Congratulations on an unimaginable profession, mate. Yet one more residence century to go,” Cummins wrote, echoing the hopes of followers and teammates alike as Australia brace for an emotional farewell.
A full-circle second on the SCG
The Sydney Check carries deep significance for Khawaja. It was on the identical floor again in 2011 that he made his Check debut towards England through the Ashes collection, stepping in after Ricky Ponting was dominated out by way of harm. Practically 15 years later, Khawaja will stroll out on the SCG as soon as extra, this time understanding it is going to be his last look in worldwide cricket.
Statistically, Sydney has been Khawaja’s fortress. He has amassed 875 runs from 9 Checks on the venue, averaging an excellent 87.50, with 4 centuries and a half-century to his title. Few Australian batters have loved such dominance on the historic floor, making Cummins’ request removed from unrealistic.
Additionally READ: Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket, SCG Test to be his final bow
The comeback that outlined Usman’s legacy
One of many defining moments of Khawaja’s profession additionally got here in Sydney. In the course of the Ashes 2021–22 collection, he returned to the Check facet after greater than two years away and introduced himself in emphatic trend by scoring twin centuries on the SCG. That efficiency reignited his worldwide profession and laid the muse for a prolific two-year run on the prime stage.
Khawaja carried that type into abroad situations, taking part in an important function in Australia’s memorable 2–2 Ashes attract England in 2023. He completed that collection because the main run-scorer with 496 runs, underlining his significance on the prime of the order.
Additionally READ: Ashes 2025-26: Shoaib Bashir returns as England unveil squad for the SCG Test
