Since being promoted to open in Test cricket for the first time in 2016-17, Khawaja took his time to ease into the role, and found himself in and out of the side. However, in the 2020s, he established himself as David Warner’s opening partner, and in 2023, as the best Test opener in the world.
An ordinary series against India at home (he made 184 runs at 20.44 with one fifty) raised concerns over Khawaja’s future, especially with younger alternatives around. However, he responded in his first Test innings after the India series, against Sri Lanka at Galle.
Khawaja added 92 with Travis Head (57), 43 with Marnus Labuschagne (20), and a humongous, record-breaking 266 with Steve Smith (141) before debutant Josh Inglis joined him. He took 290 balls to bring up his maiden double ton (his previous highest score was 195 not out) just before lunch on the second day, and went to lunch on 204. Australia were 475-3 at that point and Inglis on 44.
Who are the oldest Australians to score a double century in men’s Test cricket?
At 38 years 42 days on the first day of the Test, Khawaja is now the second-oldest Australian to score a Test match double hundred. Don Bradman was 38 years 108 days when he made 234 against England in the 1946-47 Ashes, and 39 years 149 days during his 201 against India in 1947-48.
Khawaja also became the oldest Australian to score a double hundred away from home. In this, he went past Adam Voges (239 at 36 years 131 days, against New Zealand at Wellington in 2015-16).