Khawaja, Green, Healy and Perry. What does 2026 have in store for Australian cricket?
It’s been a very Merry Christmas for the Australian Test team and national selectors with Ashes success well and truly ‘urned’, but the new year shapes as being a, shall we say, testing time. We take a look at what the future holds in Australian cricket in 2026.
Khawaja, Green, Healy and Perry. What does 2026 have in store for Australian cricket?
It’s been a very Merry Christmas for the Australian Test team with Ashes success well ‘urned’, but the new year shapes as being a testing time.
There are key decisions to be made on and off the field if Australia are to remain an on-field force, while improving a bottom line which tumbled to a net deficit of $11.3 million over the past financial year is also a must.
We take a look at what the future holds for Australian cricket in 2026.
What happens next: Usman Khawaja’s future will be a topic of discussion for Australian coach and selector Andrew McDonald.Credit: Getty Images
How will Usman Khawaja’s future be handled?
Adelaide must have been an emotional rollercoaster for the 39-year-old, who declared himself fit, then was overlooked for selection, only to make a dramatic late entrance at No.4 when Steve Smith was ruled out due to vertigo. Khawaja’s knocks of 82 and 40 showed he still has the game, and he has yet to publicly declare any intention to retire. However, the selectors will need to make the tough call after Sydney. It’s time for Travis Head and Jake Weatherald to be given time to mature together at the top of the order.
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What happens when it’s time to sober up once the Ashes party subsides?
Further to the Khawaja question, the selectors have more decisions to make or, at least, seriously debate, although there is an eight-month break from the Sydney Test to the team’s next red-ball clash, a home series against Bangladesh in August. Nathan Lyon’s 38-year-old body is showing signs of not holding up with a serious calf injury during the 2023 Ashes, now followed by a major hamstring issue. Is it time to give a younger spinner more of an opportunity before the heavyweight 2027 tour of India? Where does Josh Hazlewood fit in after another home summer ruined by injury? And is it time to promote a new Test vice-captain, for skipper Pat Cummins has his own injury issues, and Steve Smith will be 37 in June? Travis Head seems the natural fit there.
