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Usman Khawaja did not get his personal fairytale finish at the SCG, but Australia hung on in the fifth Ashes Test to seal a 4-1 series victory after a dramatic middle session on Thursday.
Chasing a modest target of 160 after England added another 42 runs on day five, Australia reached it with five wickets in hand midway through a lively afternoon in front of 25,847 fans.
At 2-92 in the 18th over, England’s slim hopes of victory looked over before a flurry of wickets – Australia lost 3-29 – ensured there would be one final twist on the 18th and final afternoon of a largely one-sided series.
At 1.24pm, Khawaja walked onto the SCG for the final time as an international cricketer, passing through a guard of honour formed by England’s players. The reception was warm for a batsman who grew up in Sydney and honed his craft at the ground as a NSW player before his move to Queensland.
A deft lap shot for four off his second delivery settled Khawaja’s nerves before a thick edge on four was almost snaffled by Ben Stokes at a wide first slip.
With the game still in the balance at 3-102 and Marnus Labuschagne on 20, Australia’s No.3 was given a reprieve when second-innings centurion Jacob Bethell spilled a chance in the gully. Moments later, Steve Smith (12) was bowled by a beauty from Will Jacks to send a scare through the Australian dressing room.
Usman Khawaja bids farewell to his Test career.Credit: Getty Images
Khawaja’s farewell ended in disappointment on his seventh delivery when, no doubt dreaming of hitting the winning runs, he was bowled for six by Josh Tongue, bringing a close to a fine Test career that began at the same venue 15 years ago.
Khawaja kissed the turf as he walked past a spray-painted “Thanks Uzzy” sign.
“It means a lot,” Khawaja told Fox. “The game of cricket is so great. As much as I wanted to go out there and score runs and hit the winning runs, I am so grateful for one last final win and to celebrate with my teammates.
“I was trying to act cool, but the whole Test match I found it really hard to control my own emotions. It’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, being able to finish here at the SCG. Everyone has been so great. I can finally just relax.”
Labuschagne was run out for an important 37 off 40 balls to leave Australia precariously placed at 5-121, still requiring 39 runs to win, before Cam Green (22) and Alex Carey (16) steered Australia home despite some nervous moments.
Carey, whose glovework and batting have been sensational this series, hit the winning runs with a cover drive to the boundary.
Despite the scare, Australia will be satisfied to have heaped more misery on an England squad that has underperformed in almost every aspect.
In the 20 Ashes Tests on Australian soil since the start of the 2013-14 series, England have managed one victory – a two-day affair in Melbourne last month on a pitch later rated “unsatisfactory” by the International Cricket Council.
Bazball has been belted into oblivion, leaving England coach Brendon McCullum under pressure following a failed campaign against an Australian side missing Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon for most of the series, as well as injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for all of it.
Tensions threatened to boil over during the run chase when a confrontation between England seamer Brydon Carse and Australia pair Jake Weatherald (34) and Travis Head (29) followed another episode of DRS controversy.
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England believed they had Weatherald caught behind, but the on-field not out decision was upheld on review, leaving Carse furious. A heated exchange with umpire Ahsan Raza followed before Ben Stokes intervened.
Weatherald and Carse exchanged words, before Carse and Head made light contact as they walked alongside each other.
Australia kept their composure to finish the job and leave Khawaja a happy man.
More to come
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