"Amusingly, there was a brief panic in the afternoon when it was announced that Steve Smith, like Khawaja a day earlier, was bringing forward his press conference. Was this the possible signposting of a second retirement by a Sydneysider? News soon followed that this was a case of the 36-year-old looking to keep his training light. Phew. One is plenty, thank you very much. As it stands, Khawaja is the only player known to be joining those who have signed off at the SCG"
"There have been some good ones in the past 20 years. Virat Kohli played his last Test here 12 months ago, David Warner the same a year earlier. There was Kevin Pietersen in 2014, scapegoated for an Ashes whitewash, while eight years before came the goodbyes for Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden after that great Australia team sealed a 5-0 Ashes sweep."
The Sydney Cricket Ground serves as a frequent venue for Test match farewells and career finales. Usman Khawaja confirmed his international retirement there ahead of the final Ashes Test. A brief afternoon panic over a premature Steve Smith press conference proved unfounded. The SCG has hosted recent last Tests for players such as Virat Kohli, David Warner and Kevin Pietersen, and previously the farewells of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden. England go into the final Test 3-1 down after a rapid Ashes loss, and questions remain over whether this match will mark the end of the Bazball era.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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