'I don't trust the game': Usman Khawaja coy on Test future beyond New Zealand series

Australia's opening Test batsman Usman Khawaja has remained tight-lipped on his playing future, declaring his focus is firmly on the two-Test series against New Zealand beginning Thursday.

The 37-year-old farewelled childhood friend and opening partner David Warner following the Sydney Test against Pakistan last month, and began a new partnership with Steve Smith against the West Indies.

Well into the twilight of his career, Khawaja said he knows how "tough" it is to retain his spot given the number of promising young batters pushing for his spot.

READ MORE: 'I have no doubt': NRL great's startling CTE admission

READ MORE: Smith's Kiwi nemesis retires days before first Test

READ MORE: England turns on Ashes villain after 'baffling' return

"I'm trying not to look too far ahead ... because I don't trust the game. The game's tough," Khawaja said in Wellington on Tuesday.

"And I know not to look too far ahead because it can bring you back down to reality very quickly."

The veteran batsman has been adjusting to life with new opening partner Steve Smith who was selected to move up the order to fill the hole left by Warner, who was 37 when he retired from Test cricket.

Khawaja is also 37, and is feeling the external noise speculating what his next few months in the game may look like.

2023-24 Summer of Cricket in pictures: Kraigg Brathwaite delivers powerful 'message' for more Test cricket

2023-24 Summer of Cricket in pictures: Kraigg Brathwaite delivers powerful 'message' for more Test cricket

"I understand I'm 37, so people always ask me about the finishing line, but we've got a few guys – Nathan Lyon is 36, Smith is 35, we've got a few experienced players in the team," he said.

"But for me it's just about contributing for the team, making sure I'm enjoying it, making sure I'm mentally ready to play at the Test level."

Following this series, the Aussies won't play another Test match until the home summer begins in December – a solid 10 month break.

It may come as a blessing in disguise for Khawaja, who was named the Test cricketer of the year at the recent Allan Border medal night, if he is able to keep himself in shape to lead into next summer at his best.

Khawaja knows he'll have to remain in the correct headspace to prolong his Test career.

"I don't want to look too far ahead because two years is a long time in sport, one year is a long time in sport, three years is a long time in sport and so there is a decent gap coming up," Khawaja said.

"So for me I guess there is no finishing line. Honestly, someone says, 'Can you see yourself playing next summer'? I'm probably like, 'Yeah', but I'm not gonna let my mind drift off there."

Khawaja, who made an impressive 75 against the West Indies in the second Test in January, says his focus will firmly be on each day as it comes, declaring he hasn't thought too much about next summer.

The batsman seems content without a solid plan in mind, but will have to convince his wife that everything is going to plan as the year progresses.

"It's just about this next Test match, this next innings, then I'll worry about the next. My wife hates it 'cause I'm not a planner and I don't plan for that reason," he said.

"She's like, 'oh, when are you leaving for your flight?' the other day ... I'm like, 'I don't know'. She's like, 'You're flying tomorrow'. I'm like, 'Yeah, I'll figure that out tonight'.

"She hates it 'cause she likes to plan. I'm just sort of go with the flow kind of thing."

Australia face New Zealand in the first of two Tests, beginning on Thursday in Wellington.