Usman Khawaja is extensively thought to be probably the most polarising cricketers to don the dishevelled inexperienced – usually producing headlines together with his political statements.
However he is additionally the most effective Take a look at openers ever produced Down Underneath.
Within the wake of the 39-year-old’s retirement announcement, commentators have begun handing down their judgements on how his profession will probably be remembered.
Khawaja revealed on Friday that the upcoming SCG Take a look at in opposition to England would be the closing match of his worldwide profession.
It is set to book-end a full circle story for Khawaja, with the left-hander making his Take a look at debut in opposition to the identical opponent, on the identical precinct, 15 years earlier in 2011.
The Pakistani born opener will end his profession having performed 88 Assessments for his nation, and with over 6,700 Take a look at runs to his identify.
Usman Khawaja (pictured) was visibly emotional when making his retirement announcement
Usman Khawaja and spouse Rachel (pictured collectively) acquired married in April 2018
The 39-year-old made (pictured) made twin centuries within the corresponding Take a look at match in 2022
However Khawaja’s profession has been embroiled with quite a few controversies since his debut.
Allegations of racism throughout the Australian cricket fraternity have been the catalyst for him talking out and making an attempt to turn out to be a number one determine within the cricketing world.
Khawaja is the primary Muslim and Pakistani born participant to symbolize Australia in a Take a look at match.
But it surely was earlier than that, whereas enjoying cricket as a baby, the place he was first subjected to racism.
‘Positively (I used to be uncovered to racism at a younger age). A few of the stuff may very well be fairly vulgar. A few of the stuff may very well be fairly hurtful,’ he instructed 60 Minutes in 2018.
Khawaja broke new floor by enjoying for Australia. He has been in a position to present kids what he by no means was given as a teen – a task mannequin which does not match the established order.
The trendy batter has additionally been very vocal with views on the battle within the Center East.
In late 2023, Khawaja wrote ‘All lives are equal’ and ‘Freedom is a human proper’ on his sneakers to precise help for human rights earlier than a Take a look at match.
The 39-year-old (pictured) got here beneath hearth for his use of a dove on his cricket bat
Khawaja was sanctioned for writing a slogan on his enjoying sneakers (pictured) which was linked to the continued battle within the Center East
The Take a look at veteran (pictured with spouse Rachel and daughters, Aisha and Ayla) is about to finish his Worldwide profession on the identical location it started
The Worldwide Cricket Council barred the slogans as contravening guidelines on political messaging.
Khawaja then wore a black armband to point out his help as an alternative.
However the ICC additionally reprimanded him for that too.
The left hander was additionally compelled to take away a ‘black dove’ peace sticker from his cricket bat, after the ICC rejected it as a political image.
His outspoken nature has been a cornerstone of who he’s as an individual, and the way the Aussie public has come to know him throughout his whole profession.
In his retirement press convention, he unleashed on former gamers and in addition journalists for his or her therapy of him throughout the final 15 years.
‘I’ve at all times felt a bit of bit totally different, even to now,’ he stated.
‘I’m. I am a colored cricketer… I’ve additionally felt very totally different in lots of respects. Totally different in how I have been handled, totally different in how issues have occurred.
Khawaja particularly took intention at commentators for his or her therapy of him through the ongoing Ashes collection.
‘One thing that is been on my thoughts, from the beginning of the collection I seen, once I did my again… I damage my again, I had again spasms. It was one thing I could not management,’ he added.
‘The best way the media and the previous gamers got here out and attacked me… I might have copped it for 2 days, however I copped it for about 5 days straight.
‘And it wasn’t even about my performances. It was about one thing very private, it was about my preparation.’
Khawaja was out and in of the workforce for the primary 4 or so years of his Worldwide Take a look at profession.
He grew to become a distinguished member of the Aussie workforce in late 2015.
Within the midst of the 2019 Ashes, followers and gamers thought his profession was completed after he was dropped from the aspect.
Khawaja acquired one closing likelihood in early 2022, after being chosen within the workforce for the the New Yr’s Take a look at on the SCG, because of Travis Head being dominated out with COVID.
He seized that chance, by scoring twin centuries in an excellent return to the highlight which sealed his place within the aspect as a daily batter, fairly than a fill in.
The Pakistani born opener has since peeled off an additional six Take a look at centuries because the 2022 SCG Take a look at, and was even named because the 2023 ICC Take a look at Cricketer of the Yr.
Regardless of solely enjoying 70 Take a look at matches as a gap batter, Khawaja will finish his profession eighth on the record for many runs as an Aussie opener.
His partnership with outdated teammate David Warner is particularly memorable.
The pair helped Australia to a collection win in Pakistan, retain trophies in Sri Lanka and England, and Australia’s first ever World Take a look at Championship.
