ISLAMABAD: Australian left-hander Usman Khawaja made his mark by becoming the second-oldest Australian to notch a double century in Test cricket. He also achieved the distinction of being the oldest Australian to reach this milestone in an away Test, accomplishing the feat against Sri Lanka in Galle.
When Khawaja stepped up to open in Test cricket for the first time during the 2016-17 season, it took him a while to find his rhythm, resulting in a stint where he frequently shuffled in and out of the team.
However, throughout the 2020s, he solidified his position as David Warner’s trusted opening partner, earning recognition as the best Test opener in the world by 2023.
His performance in a lacklustre series against India at home—where he scored just 184 runs at an average of 20.44—sparked debate about his future, especially with younger players waiting in the wings. Yet, he silenced the critics in his first innings after that series, dazzling everyone against Sri Lanka at Galle.
Against Lankans, Khawaja formed significant partnerships, adding 92 runs with Travis Head (57), 43 with Marnus Labuschagne (20), and an astonishing, record-setting 266 runs alongside Steve Smith (141) before debutant Josh Inglis joined him.
He took just 290 balls to reach his first double ton, surpassing his previous highest score of 195 not out, just before the lunch break on the second day, finishing at 204 runs. At that juncture, Australia sat comfortably at 475-3, with Inglis at 44.
As for the distinction of being the oldest Australians to score a double century in men’s Test cricket, Khawaja, at 38 years and 42 days old on the first day of the Test, now stands as the second-oldest in history.
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The legendary Don Bradman holds the record, having scored 234 against England at 38 years and 108 days during the 1946-47 Ashes, and 201 against India at 39 years and 149 days in 1947-48.
Khawaja also made his mark as the oldest Australian to score a double hundred away from home, surpassing Adam Voges, who tallied 239 runs at 36 years and 131 days against New Zealand in Wellington during the 2015-16 season.
Oldest double centurions in men’s Test cricket:
| Age | Score | Batter | Team | Opposition | Venue | Season |
| 42 Years 6 Days | 236 | Eric Rowan | South Africa | England | Leeds | 1951 |
| 41 Years 195 Days | 211 | Jack Hobbs | England | South Africa | Lord’s | 1924 |
| 40 Years 361 Days | 205* | Patsy Hendren | England | West Indies | Port of Spain | 1929-30 |
| 40 Years 314 Days | 210 | Graham Gooch | England | New Zealand | Nottingham | 1994 |
| 40 Years 207 Days | 208 | Dudley Nourse | South Africa | England | Nottingham | 1951 |
| 39 Years 353 Days | 226 | Gordon Greenidge | West Indies | Australia | Bridgetown | 1991 |
| 39 Years 271 Days | 325 | Andy Sandham | England | West Indies | Kingston | 1929-30 |
| 39 Years 149 Days | 201 | Don Bradman | Australia | India | Adelaide | 1947-48 |
| 38 Years 269 Days | 231 | Vinoo Mankad | India | New Zealand | Madras | 1955-56 |
| 38 Years 256 Days | 218 | Younis Khan | Pakistan | England | The Oval | 2016 |
| 38 Years 234 Days | 223 | Vinoo Mankad | India | New Zealand | Bombay | 1955-56 |
| 38 Years 108 Days | 234 | Don Bradman | Australia | England | Sydney | 1946-47 |
| 38 Years 89 Days | 203* | Shivnarine Chanderpaul | West Indies | Bangladesh | Mirpur | 2012-13 |
| 38 Years 42 Days | 204 | Usman Khawaja | Australia | Sri Lanka | Galle | 2024-25 |
– The oldest to score a double ton in women’s cricket was Australia’s Joanne Broadbent. She was 32 years 250 days when she made 200 against England at Guildford in 1998.
