"Don't like it when players try and hang on" - Brendon Julian asks for veteran Australian batter to retire after BGT 2024-25
Former Australia pacer Brendon Julian believes Usman Khawaja should step away from Test cricket after the culmination of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series. The veteran opening batter, who turns 38 on December 18, is battling a rough patch, with players like Sam Konstas waiting on the sidelines.
Khawaja last recorded a fifty in the pink ball Test against the West Indies at the start of the year. His poor scores have played a huge role in Australia's top-order woes. He has not had a huge say in the series against India so far, recording 34 runs in four innings, with a high score of 13.
The left-handed batter played a huge role in Australia's World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 triumph, particularly during their subcontinent endeavors. He had to navigate through a difficult period following David Warner's retirement and had Steve Smith as his opening partner for a while too.
Brendon Julian opined that Khawaja does not have what it takes to play the next Ashes series in 2025-26, and said it was the right time to call it a day.
“Opening the batting in this series has been extremely difficult and I think as you get older – he’s 37 … I know he’s come out in the press and said ‘I’d like to make it to the next Ashes series.' I just can’t see that personally,” Julian told FOX Sports News.
"I actually think he probably should finish up this series in Australia, go out on a high. I just don’t like it when players try and hang on that little bit longer and as you get older and when you’re batting, you’re opening the batting against quality bowling with new balls. That is very, very difficult and as you get older, you’re just not as sharp," he added.
Khawaja holds an average of 25.67 in Tests in 2024 across 14 innings. Australia will need him to return to his best, considering their next assignment is a two-match series against Sri Lanka in the subcontinent.
“I’m just enjoying it" - Australia opening batter Usman Khawaja
Australia have Nathan McSweeney settling in at one end at the top of the order and will be on the lookout for some long-term stability in that regard.
Khawaja recently remarked that he felt confident enough to play another year and has an eye on the Ashes series as well.
“I’m just enjoying it. Look at this face. It’s still fresh. If everything is going well there is no reason why I would not want to play another summer in Australia. My body is good, my mind is good, and I am still hitting the ball well," Khawaja said ahead of third Test in Brisbane (via Sydney Morning Herald).
The veteran is currently unbeaten on 13 runs in the first innings of the third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane.