CRICKET: Australia's Khawaja confirmed for Sydney Ashes test

MELBOURNE — Australia head coach and selector Andrew McDonald has confirmed that Usman Khawaja will play in the fifth Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground, amid media speculation that it could be the veteran batsman’s last international match.

At 39, Khawaja is the oldest player in an aging Australian squad, and his place in the lineup has come under scrutiny following his demotion down the batting order as selectors look toward the future.

With Travis Head promoted to the opening position, Khawaja batted at number four in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide and at number five in the fourth match in Melbourne.

Some Australian media reports have suggested that the Sydney Test could mark Khawaja’s final international appearance. However, McDonald said he has not discussed Khawaja’s future with him.

“There’s no indication at my end that he’s calling it in Sydney,” McDonald told reporters in Melbourne on Monday. “But his performance this calendar year has been strong enough to warrant selection, so I’d say he’ll be there at the crease in Sydney.”

Khawaja has not spoken publicly about his plans and returned home to Queensland for a family break ahead of the Sydney Test, which begins on January 4.

The 87-Test veteran missed the second Ashes match in Brisbane after suffering back spasms during the first Test in Perth. He is averaging just over 30 with the bat across his three matches in the series and scored 82 at Adelaide Oval, helping Australia seal the series with two matches to spare.

However, Khawaja struggled in the fourth Test in Melbourne, scoring 29 and 0 as Australia suffered a four-wicket defeat. While his soft dismissal in the second innings drew criticism, his overall numbers remain stronger than several other Australian batters this series, including opener Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, and all-rounder Cameron Green.

On the bowling side, Australia will again be without three of their world-class bowlers in Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon for the Sydney Test.

Cricket Australia (CA) said in an injury update on Monday that Lyon would not play any further part in the home summer after undergoing surgery on a high-grade hamstring injury sustained during the third Ashes Test. A return date will be determined later.

CA added that Hazlewood has resumed running after hamstring and Achilles injuries and remains on track for the T20 World Cup, which begins on February 7.

McDonald confirmed that Cummins would be included in Australia’s 15-man World Cup squad but would require clearance following a scan on his lower back.

“Pat will have a scan, I think in another four weeks, so that’ll give us the information on where he’s at for the World Cup,” McDonald said.

-Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters