Ashes: Sydney Test to be Usman Khawaja’s final international appearance

Usman Khawaja (Pic: X/@ICC)

Australia's traditional opening batsman, Usman Khawaja, has announced his retirement from international cricket after the fifth Test match of the ongoing Ashes series.

While announcing his retirement, the left-hander, who was the first Muslim to play for the Aussies, criticised the racial stereotyping that he experienced in his career.

Speaking at the media conference, the cricketer said that after sustaining back spasms, he dealt with the former players' comments for about five days.

"Different in the way I've been treated, different in how things have happened. I had back spasms, it was something I couldn't control. The way the media and the past players came out and attacked me . . . I copped it for about five days straight," he said.

"Once the racial stereotypes came in, of me being lazy, it was things I've dealt with my whole life. Pakistani, West Indian, colored players...we're selfish, we only care about ourselves, we don't care about the team, we don't train hard enough," added Khawaja.

He then explained how no media criticised the Australian players, who injured themselves after having schooners, but raised questions on Usman Khawaja's credibility when he sustained any injury.

"I can give you countless number of guys who have played golf the day before a match and have been injured, but you guys haven't said a thing. I can give you even more examples of guys who have had 15 schooners (large glasses of beer) the night before a game and have then been injured, but no one said a word because they were just being Aussie larrikins,' they were just being lads. But when I get injured, everyone went at my credibility and who I am as a person," he expressed.

The left-handed opening batsman then said that he is glad that he can draw curtains on his career on his own terms.

"I guess moving into this series, I had an inkling this would be the last series. I'm glad I can go out on my own terms," said the 39-year-old cricketer.

The fifth and final Test match of the Ashes series is scheduled to be played from January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

(With AP Inputs)