Usman Khawaja locks in surprise post-cricket career move as a commentator, will work on ODI World Cup

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Usman Khawaja has locked away a role as a cricket commentator, to be officially commenced whenever his decorated Test career comes to an end.

The 37-year-old will join David Warner as an analyst in the commentary box whenever he decides to call time on his playing days, with Warner having announced the same plans earlier this year.

Khawaja also will dip his toes in the water of commentary at the upcoming ODI World Cup in India later this year as he prepares for life after cricket — or playing it anyway.

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“I love cricket and I love analysing the game,” Khawaja told News Corp.

“I have always wanted to stay part of the game when I finish up playing, and commentating just seemed the perfect fit.”

Khawaja’s place at the top of the order of Australia’s Test team is locked away for effectively as long as he wants it, having been one of the most dominant batters in world cricket since his return to the side in January 2022.

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He made back to back hundreds in the New Year’s Sydney Test of that year and has only taken his career to new heights ever since, having surpassed 5000 Test runs and lifted his average to 47.50.

The charismatic left-hander is now within one place of the top 20 run-scorers in Australian men’s Test cricket history, just 230 runs short of the great Bill Lawry from one less match.

Usman Khawaja is set for a move into the commentary box. Credit: Getty

With Warner’s career in its final hour as he hopes to make it through to an SCG swansong this summer, Khawaja’s importance to Australian cricket will grow immensely as he plays the role of bridging the gap between the old guard and the post-Warner era at the top of the order.

His insights at the upcoming ODI World Cup will be fascinating, given his role as a current member of the red-ball side.

Australia will start preparations for the tournament with their tour of South Africa next week, but they will have to do it without superstars Mitchell Starc and Steve Smith, who are both dealing with injuries and have been ruled out of the tour.

Born-again allrounder Mitchell Marsh has been confirmed as captain for the ODI portion of the series in South Africa after already receiving the nod for T20 duties.

Smith is struggling with a tendon injury in his left wrist, while Starc is experiencing groin soreness following the gruelling schedule in England for the World Test Championship final and the Ashes.

Starc’s issue is not related to the shoulder injury he sustained during the Ashes.

Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc will miss Australia’s white-ball tour of South Africa. (Gary Day/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

“The compacted Ashes series and the World Test Championship was a heavy load for the group, and we are taking a conservative approach to the build-up to the World Cup,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.

“With the World Cup the priority of the squad, it was determined on advice that it was best for Steve and Mitchell to join the group in India by which time we expect them to be fully fit and available for the Indian ODI series, plus the World Cup warm-up fixture.”

In Smith’s absence, Marnus Labuschagne has received a reprieve, joining the squad for the 50-over games against his country of birth.

Labuschagne was left out of Australia’s preliminary World Cup squad two weeks ago.

The first of three T20s against South Africa gets underway on August 31, while the five-match ODI series begins in Bloemfontein on September 7.

Australia’s opening World Cup game is against hosts India in Chennai on October 8.

– With AAP