Michael Clarke calls for Aussie star to retire amid revelation about Sam Konstas

Michael Clarke has revealed he believes Usman Khawaja should retire after the fifth Test at the SCG, while explaining why he believes Virat Kohli charged into Sam Konstas in Melbourne. Konstas became an instant sensation as he ramped and reverse-ramped Jasprit Bumrah in the Boxing Day Test, which sparked Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne to play a similarly-aggressive style.

Konstas’ approach clearly rattled Bumrah and the Indians, and resulted in Kohli making physical contact with the 19-year-old during a change of ends. Kohli was subsequently fined and given a demerit point by the ICC, and Clarke has now revealed he thinks the former captain didn’t like the “lack of respect” Konstas was showing.

“Virat Kohli is a tough cricketer. He will never take a backward step,” Clarke said on his ‘Beyond 23’ cricket podcast this week. “I think Virat was frustrated with the lack of respect that Sam was showing towards the best bowler in the world, Jasprit Bumrah. [But} I am sure he would have had a word with Sam after the match. He is not a nasty person.”

Michael Clarke calls for Usman Khawaja’s retirement

Meanwhile, Clarke believes the confidence and ability that Konstas showed at the MCG means the time is right for Khawaja to retire. Khawaja has stated he wants to keep playing until next summer’s Ashes series, but Clarke thinks the SCG Test against India would be the perfect time to pull up stumps.

Selectors might be wary of putting two new openers at the top of the order, but Konstas showed he doesn’t need babysitting and can thrive with a younger partner too. The 38-year-old Khawaja made 57 in the first innings in Melbourne, but has struggled throughout the series.

“This is Uzzie’s home Test match, the SCG,” Clarke said. “He has been an amazing player, absolutely amazing player. Come back in, score runs overseas, score runs in Australia. He is 38 years of age, I think it could be a great opportunity for Uzzie to announce his retirement, and Sydney to be his last Test.

“I know he would like to keep playing. His form has not been as good as he would like throughout this series. I know we have got a trip to Sri Lanka, and then we have got the Ashes. There is a lot of cricket in between, but I also think that could be a great opportunity for a new player to come in, open the batting, get some Test match cricket under their belt before the first Ashes Test match.”

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Usman Khawaja keen to play next summer’s Ashes series

Speaking ahead of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Khawaja said he’s keen to keep playing for as long as the team wants him. “If everything is going well there is no reason why I would not want to play another summer in Australia. My body is good, my mind is good and I am still hitting the ball well,” he said, referring to the 2025/26 Asher series.

“It (a series against India) is awesome to play, it’s massive, but the pride and joy and tradition of playing in the Ashes, there’s nothing like it. The emotion involved, you saw it last Ashes both on and off the field, there’s just so much involved with it. It’s pretty special.”