- Australia wrapped up 4-1 Ashes series victory
As the first Muslim Australian Test cricketer, and the first born in Pakistan, Usman Khawaja is used to doing things by himself.
But when the SCG crowd stood as one to welcome Khawaja to the batting crease one last time, the attention was for all those present to wish the 39-year-old a fond farewell.
After applause and a pat on the back from captain Steve Smith, the prolific left-hander jogged over to the ‘Thanks Uzzy’ painted on the outfield.
England formed a guard of honour along with the umpires for the number five to pass through.
Touring skipper Ben Stokes then shook hands with the well-loved Australian as he strode out to try to help get the final 62 runs for victory.
‘It’s what I love about cricket, I said thank you to Stokesy for it, very humbling,’ Khawaja said after the match.
Usman Khawaja (pictured) falls to his knees on the SCG turf after being dismissed for six runs in his final Test innings
The 39-year-old took time to acknowledge the SCG crowd, who rose to give him a standing ovation in a moment he said he’ll always cherish
Khawaja (pictured) played down the order after skipper Steve Smith elected not to bring him on as an opener
‘Cricket is a beautiful game … it’s always bringing people together,’ he added.
‘When I came to Australia I couldn’t speak a word of English … it broke down all the barriers.’
Asked how he felt as he walked off for the final time, he laughed and said, ‘A little bit of annoyance because I chopped on.’
The Mail’s cricket correspondent, Lawrence Booth, saw Khawaja in tears from his spot at the SCG, and the veteran confirmed he couldn’t contain himself after the win.
‘I was trying to act cool,’ Khawaja said.
‘But the whole Test match I found it really hard to control my emotions.
‘It’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, being able to finish here at the SCG.’
After only managing 17 runs off 49 balls in the first innings by missing a low full toss, the parochial home crowd was hopeful of a fairytale ending.
‘Uzzy’ kissed the hallowed turf at the SCG before walking back to the pavilion
The veteran’s wife Rachel (pictured with him and their daughters after the match) was seen in tears in the stands as his on-field career drew to a close
But sadly it wasn’t to be, with Khawaja chopping on a good-length ball from Josh Tongue for just six runs.
His tearful wife Rachel watched on from the stands as Khawaja knelt on the hallowed Sydney turf and kissed the outfield before making his last exit from the SCG pitch.
The left-hander finishes his Test career with 6229 runs at an average of 43.25, placing him 14th in the all-time list of Australian run-scorers.
Signing off at the SCG is a fitting venue for the 39-year-old, with the ground being the site of some of his greatest triumphs in a roller-coaster career.
Khawaja made his debut in the harbour city in the final game of the 2010-11 Ashes series.
He scored 37 and 21, while showcasing the measured approach to batting that would become his trademark.
After being dropped and recalled several times, a positive COVID test for Travis Head allowed Khawaja to make his final barnstorming return to the team in 2022.
Twin centuries (137 and 101no) batting at No.5 cemented his place in the team for nearly four years.
Australia sent Khawaja out a winner by claiming a five-wicket victory in the final Test of the series.