As Australia Prepare for the final chapter of The Ashes 2025-26 Emotions run high in the home camp with the series underway Usman Khawaja Ready to play his last international match. Before the fifth Test at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, the Australian captain pat cummins shared a heartfelt message for his longtime partner, making a special request that perfectly expressed the sentiment surrounding Khawaja’s swansong.
Pat Cummins’ message for departing Usman Khawaja
Pat Cummins, who led Australia in both Tests and ODIs, congratulated Khawaja on social media for his distinguished international career. Along with his message, Cummins shared a photo of the pair and expressed a simple yet powerful wish – that Khawaja signs off with another century on his home ground.
“Congratulations on an incredible career, buddy. One more home century to go,” Cummins wrote, echoing the hopes of fans and teammates as Australia prepare for an emotional farewell.
A full-circle moment at the SCG
The Sydney Test has deep significance for Khawaja. It was on this ground in 2011 that he made his Test debut against England during the Ashes series, after Ricky Ponting was out due to injury. Almost 15 years later, Khawaja will once again take to the SCG, this time knowing that it will be his final appearance in international cricket.
According to statistics, Sydney has been Khwaja’s stronghold. He has scored 875 runs in nine Test matches at this ground at an average of 87.50, which includes four centuries and one half-century. Few Australian batsmen have enjoyed such dominance on the historic ground, making Cummins’ request far from unrealistic.
Also read: Usman Khawaja announces retirement from international cricket, SCG test will be his last test
The comeback that defined Osman’s legacy
A defining moment of Khawaja’s career also came in Sydney. During the Ashes 2021-22 series, he returned to the Test team after more than two years and announced himself in emphatic fashion by scoring twin centuries at the SCG. That performance rejuvenated his international career and laid the foundation for an impressive two years at the top level.
Khawaja continued that form in overseas conditions and played a key role in Australia’s memorable 2-2 Ashes draw in England in 2023. He finished that series as the leading run-scorer with 496 runs, underscoring his importance at the top of the order.
Also read: Ashes 2025-26: England unveil squad for SCG Test, Shoaib Bashir returns
