The Ashes 2025-26: Usman Khawaja becomes only 19th Australian batter to THIS iconic feat in international cricket

Usman Khawaja scored 29 runs off 52 deliveries in the first innings of the fourth test of The Ashes 2025-26.

Australian Cricket Team‘s veteran batter Usman Khawaja achieved a massive feat in international cricket. The left-handed batsman achieved the feat in the ongoing fourth test of The Ashes 2025-26, which got underway at Melbourne Cricket Stadium in Melbourne on Friday, December 26.

England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bowl first in the match. Australia openers Travis Head (10) and Jake Weatherald (10) got out cheaply, failing to provide a decent start with the bat. Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith got out for single digits as Australia suffered a top-order collapse.

Khawaja, who has been asked to bat in the middle-order instead of his regular opening slot in the ongoing campaign, got a nice start with two boundaries. However, he could not hold his ground for long, getting dismissed for 29 runs off 52 deliveries with Gus Atkinson removing him.

Usman Khawaja completes 8000 runs in international cricket

Despite failing to produce a big batting show in the encounter, Khawaja has captured a memorable record in his international career. He has become the 19th Australian batter to reach the mark of 8000 runs in international cricket. He achieved the feat in his 204th innings.

So far, the 39-year-old has mustered 6206 runs in 87 tests at an average of 43.40, with 16 centuries and 28 half-centuries. He has piled up 1554 runs in 40 ODIs, with his last game coming against South Africa in 2019. Khawaja only played nine T20I games in his career, hitting 241 runs.

Australian batters with more than 8000 runs in international cricket

Speaking about the Boxing Day test, the visitors gave a spectacular bowling show, bundling out Australia for just 152 runs in the first innings. Pacer Josh Tongue clinched a five-wicket haul as key Australian batters lost their wickets cheaply, and none of them could score a half-century. Atkinson picked two wickets while Brydon Carse and Ben Stokes stole one scalp each.

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