'We haven't had a conversation': Usman Khawaja locked in for Sydney Test as retirement speculation mounts

Australian coach Andrew McDonald has revealed Usman Khawaja is yet to make a call on his Test future heading into the final game of the Ashes series.

The 39-year-old has endured a mixed summer, suffering back spasms in Perth before missing the second match in Brisbane and being overlooked for Adelaide, only to earn a late recall after Steve Smith was ruled out with vertigo-like symptoms.

Khawaja then made a brilliant 82 under pressure in the third Test and has retained his position as a middle-order batter, pushing Josh Inglis back out of the side.

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But with the series already wrapped up and the urn retained, the attention has turned to whether Khawaja will remain in the XI for the Sydney fixture and beyond.

Speaking to media on Monday morning, McDonald confirmed that discussions would take place but at this stage, it was business as usual for the veteran.

"We've been really clear that we haven't had a conversation," the coach said.

"The speculation has been from the external. He is with his family at the moment having a couple of days off and we'll build into Sydney.

"We're always having conversations about where players are at and speaking directly to the players, but there's no indication at my end that he's calling it in Sydney.

"It's always a combination of conversations and where the team's at. We've got a long time until that next Test series as well. I think he will come to us if he's going to retire, there's no doubt about that. After this Test match, we've got eight months until the next one, so we've got a lot of time as a selection group to make that decision.

"If there was a series straight off the back of this, then it would be a little bit different - but with the eight-month gap, as a selection panel we've got a lot of time to think about our next Test team, should Usman push forward.

"That will be something we will discuss, but his performances this calendar year have been good enough to warrant selection. I'd say he'll be marking centre in Sydney."

Khawaja has been a brilliant performer at Test level during his career, amassing well over 6000 runs at an average in the mid-40s, including 16 centuries.

The classy left-hander grew up in Sydney and played his early cricket in the Randwick area, so his final time in the baggy green coming at the SCG would be poetic.

But as pointed out by McDonald, everyone involved needs to be cautious of celebrating Khawaja's retirement before he's actually made that decision.

"We use Davey Warner as a test case - he got clapped off at the SCG three years in a row because everyone thought it was gonna be his last Test match," McDonald said.

"I'm pretty sure that if Uz makes no statement around his future leading into that Test match, that crowd will still be pretty supportive of him.

"Our challenge is if any of our great players retire, we want to acknowledge them - but until that point in time when you're clear on someone's future, it's very difficult."

Warner eventually bowed out at the SCG at the start of 2024 and seeing his close mate Khawaja do the same would surprise nobody.

But as it stands, Khawaja is keeping everyone guessing.