Usman Khawaja has announced that the Ashes Test at the SCG will be the last of his career. It will be his 88th match across a 15-year Australia career which has, so far, brought 16 centuries. Here we pick out six of his best innings. The first century is always special, but for Khawaja, his came on return to the side after more than two years out and with a previous top score of 65 in nine outings.

He was granted an ideal foundation, walking out at No. 3 after Joe Burns and David Warner had added 161, but he made the most of the opportunity. Against a New Zealand attack that did not live up to expectation, he amassed 174 off 239 deliveries in a massive Australia total. "It was just elation, the biggest amount of emotional relief," he said at the time.

"The first one is always the hardest, I've said, so it's massive for me." After the first, more quickly followed with Khawaja making three further hundreds in his next four Tests. As history shows, Khawaja would become a Test opening batter, but on this occasion he took the role at the last minute. Sensing an opportunity to disrupt Australia with Warner off the field, Faf du Plessis declared late on the opening night under floodlights, forcing a change in the order.

Khawaja emerged alongside debutant Matt Renshaw and scripted what would be a match-winning century as Australia started to pick up the pieces from an embarrassing performance in Hobart. Khawaja batted throughout the entire second day, eventually falling to Vernon Philander after facing 308 deliveries in nearly eight hours at the crease. This was one of the great match-saving innings and hugely significant for Khawaja, who had fought perceptions that he couldn't play in subcontinent conditions.

It also came at a low-ebb for Australian cricket, playing their first Test series since the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa which left them without Warner and Steven Smith. Khawaja had already resisted for 85 in the first innings, but Australia had suffered a stunning collapse from 142 without loss to 202 all out. They were then set 462 to win, or a day-and-a-half to survive. Few gave them a chance, especially at 87 for 3.

But Khawaja could not be shifted for 302 balls across more than eight-and-a-half hours to take Australia to the brink of a draw. When he was finally lbw to Yasir Shah, Pakistan struck quickly but new captain Tim Paine ensured Khawaja's heroics were not wasted. Khawaja had been dropped again during the 2019 Ashes, and it felt like it could have been for the final time. But he was back around the enlarged squad for the 2021-22 Ashes, and when Travis Head caught Covid before the New Year's Test, Khawaja was recalled to bat in the middle order.

He took the view it might be his last chance and produced an emotional century across the first two days. He wasn't done there, either. He doubled up in the second innings. "Looking back on it, it seems like a fairy tale," Khawaja told ESPNcricinfo before the current Ashes. "It literally does. I wasn't supposed to play. It was the best individual cricketing moment of my life. It's very special, something I'll never forget. I'm very grateful it happened." It made Khawaja undroppable, so he was moved up the order to open at the expense of Marcus Harris.

Ultimately, this century did not come in victory, with Babar Azam's epic earning a draw, but it was an innings of vast personal significant for Khawaja, playing in his homeland as Australia returned after a gap of 24 years. The pitch was friendly (albeit Pakistan only made 148 in their first innings) but having fallen three runs short of a century in the first Test in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad where he was born, Khawaja ensured he wouldn't miss out this time, bringing up the hundred from 193 balls in an innings where he showed various gears. Cries of "Khawaja, Khawaja" rang around the stadium.

"This is where the Khawajas are from. This is my home," he said. Usman Khawaja toasts Australia victory with his family, England vs Australia, 1st Ashes Test, Edgbaston, 5th day, June 20, 2023 In a match of contrasts, Khawaja was at the crease for 34 more overs than England's entire first innings. Having held an average of 17.78 in England before this match, he glued together Australia's innings which had stuttered at 29 for 2, 67 for 3 and 148 for 4, ensuring they got within touching distance of being even on first innings.

By the time he was yorked by Ollie Robinson and given an almighty send-off, Khawaja had batted for touching on eight hours.  "Not that I have a point to prove, but it's nice to go out and score runs for Australia just to show everyone that the last ten years haven't been a fluke," Khawaja said. For good measure, he would add 65 from 197 balls (in more than five hours) during the chase in what became a personal tour-de-force in Australia's thrilling two-wicket win which would shape an Ashes epic. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)