Despite nearing 39, Khawaja remains central to Australia\u2019s Ashes considerations, with team insiders continuing to value his experience and reliability. Since regaining his Test spot four years ago, Khawaja has outscored every other Australian in the format and stands as the only batter in the current squad to feature in all three previous pink-ball Tests at the Gabba.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Usman's a high-quality player. You look at his record\u2026 what he's done for Australian cricket. Especially since he's come back, he's been super consistent; he's been really the rock at the top there,\" Labuschagne told reporters ahead of Australia\u2019s training session on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"There's been a lot of talk about how many opening partners he's had over his time. But I'm not a selector and whatever happens is all up to people above my pay grade and what they think is the best way for us to win the game and win this series. It's just game by game, and you work out what's your best team and how it best works for the game,\" he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Khawaja has not suggested when he plans to retire, though a farewell Test at the SCG, his childhood home ground, would offer a fitting bookend to this Ashes campaign. Labuschagne, however, stressed that sentiment cannot override strategy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When asked about the possibility of a farewell fixture, the Aussie No.3 said, \u201cThe most important thing is the team comes first. There are different times when different people may have done that in the past.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Khawaja has not suggested when he plans to retire, though a farewell Test at the SCG, his childhood home ground, would offer a fitting bookend to this Ashes campaign. Labuschagne, however, stressed that sentiment cannot override strategy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"He's got (43) first-class hundreds. The way he's gone from a number three, four and then opened the batting, and the way he's done that, he's navigated some tricky scenarios \u2026 he's just been awesome,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n