Change is looming for the national team, with David Warner planning to retire from Test cricket at the SCG in January against Pakistan, assuming he scores enough runs to make it that far.
What Australia’s selectors have been keen to avoid is losing Khawaja and Warner at the same time, or being forced into moving the pair on in quick succession.
Both are aged 36, and Khawaja is realistic this will almost certainly be his final Ashes tour.
But Saturday’s century is proof he still has plenty of runs left in him, with age proving no barrier at the moment.
There is no sign retirement is imminent, with captain Pat Cummins backing Khawaja and other ageing stars to play on while they are still performing.
Khawaja averaged 17.78 in England before the start of the current Ashes series and was dropped twice before on trips there, in 2013 and 2019.
But he is now all but assured of his spot for the rest of this tour, and it is hard to see him fading away in a home summer against Pakistan and West Indies.
His eye remains as good as ever, while he is driving and pulling the ball better now than at any other point in his career.
The left-hander played both shots freely as he went to stumps not out on 126 at Edgbaston on Saturday, with Australia 5-311 in reply to England’s 8(dec)-393.
Australia’s selectors would like to transition one opener in to replace the outgoing Warner, giving that player time to settle before Khawaja exits.
Marcus Harris is seemingly next in line, with Matt Renshaw also on this Ashes tour as a back-up bat. Cameron Bancroft is another option.
Khawaja said on Saturday the clarity about his future, and the relaxed nature that came with it, had helped him turn his international career around after it appeared over when he was axed during the 2019 Ashes.
“In my heart, I probably know it’s going to be my last tour in England,” he said.
“It’s just about enjoying it. My wife’s been awesome to me, been my rock throughout my career.
“Just like me, every Test match is a bonus for her because we thought my career was over.
“Herself and our young (children) keep me grounded and make me realise there’s a lot to life … after I stop playing cricket.
“That kind of perspective just makes it a lot easier for me to go and enjoy it as much as possible.”