Names like Sir Donald Bradman and Ricky Ponting fill the record books of Australian cricket. However, Usman Khawaja has done something that goes against everything we know about ageing in sports.
He has officially passed Matthew Hayden as the top Australian run-scorer after turning 35. Usually, elite cricketers see a big drop-off at this age, but Khawaja is doing the opposite.
While most players lose their edge as their reflexes slow down, Khawaja actually picks up speed. He piles up runs with a drive that beats out even the toughest legends of the baggy green. This record shows just how much grit he has. It proves that his late-career run isn’t just a victory lap; it is actually the best he has ever played.
The “Lost Years” Context of Usman Khawaja
This record means more when you look at the time Khawaja spent on the sidelines. Selectors pushed him away because they thought his best years were behind him. His career almost ended right there. For years, the left-hander had to play domestic cricket just to stay in the game.
However, Usman Khawaja made the most of his surprise comeback during the 2022 Ashes. He hit two centuries at the Sydney Cricket Ground and made it impossible for them to ignore him. Usman Khawaja took the anger of being left out and turned it into a non-stop run-scoring spree. He took a broken career and turned it into a story of bouncing back. Every run he scores now proves his critics wrong. This record is a win for pure determination over inconsistent selection policies.
The “Zen” Transformation
The secret to this late-career success is a total change in his mindset. He stopped overthinking and started playing like a veteran who just doesn’t care what happens next. Khawaja has found a real sense of calm at the crease.
Usman Khawaja lets go of the fear of failing that usually ruins older players. This new mental freedom allows him to play naturally and take down bowlers on the hardest pitches in the world.
You can see this change in how he plays spin in Pakistan and India. He moves the ball around with total control instead of fighting against the pitch. By playing the game with a smile and a shrug, he actually becomes more focused. He shows that when you stop feeling the pressure, you start playing your best.
Redefining the “Modern Great”
Cricket historians have to look at Usman Khawaja differently now. He has built a career that ignores the usual expiration date for cricketers. He functioned as the rock of the team during a messy transition period. He gave the team balance when younger players struggled.
The veteran shows everyone that a batsman can actually hit his peak well after thirty. This last part of his career isn’t about an old star trying to hang on to the past. Instead, it’s about a player reaching his absolute brightest point right at the finish line. Khawaja is leaving the game after changing how we think about age. He is going out on his own terms as the man who beat the clock.
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| Statistic | Usman Khawaja (After 35) | Matthew Hayden (After 35) |
| Total Test Runs | 3,319+ | 1,513 |
| Test Centuries | 8 | 3 |
| Batting Average | ~46.09 | ~33.62 |
| Status | Record Holder (as of Jan 2026) | Previous Benchmark |
