Usman Khawaja Backs Matt Renshaw For Ashes; Australia Coach Vouches For Mitchell Marsh

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald hinted at a possible Test comeback for Mitchell Marsh while Usman Khawaja endorsed Matt Renshaw as the ideal opening partner ahead of the Ashes.

Australia’s Test selection for the upcoming Ashes remains a topic of lively discussion, with all-rounder Mitchell Marsh emerging as a potential surprise inclusion. Despite his focus on the white-ball format, head coach Andrew McDonald has praised Marsh’s current batting form as exceptionally strong.

Meanwhile, veteran opener Usman Khawaja has publicly backed his Queensland teammate, Matt Renshaw, as the ideal candidate to fill the opening slot alongside him for the first Test in Perth, adding another layer to the selection debate.

McDonald confirmed that the selection panel is open to choosing a player directly from white-ball cricket if it benefits the Test squad. He acknowledged the challenge Marsh would face in balancing T20I leadership with Test preparation but suggested a potential pathway through Sheffield Shield matches that overlap with the initial Tests.

“We would be comfortable picking someone, and if you want to put a name to it, Mitch Marsh, out of white-ball cricket, if we felt like that was going to benefit the Test team,” McDonald said. “He’s the captain of the white-ball team. It’s very hard for him to vacate and balance out Test preparation, if he was to be in the window for that.”

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McDonald Backs Marsh

McDonald reiterated that Marsh’s Test career is far from over, a stance consistent with selectors’ comments since his dropping last January. His compelling case is built on a rich vein of form, amassing 555 runs in his last ten ODI and T20I innings.

“We still haven’t given up on Mitch Marsh’s Test career,” McDonald said. “So what would the prep look like for him? It would have to be through white ball or maybe some Shield cricket after white ball if he isn’t in that first squad and then [he] he can press his claim through that.”

Despite the mounting speculation, Marsh himself has humorously downplayed the possibility of a Test return. However, the door remains ajar, with Western Australia’s Shield fixtures during the first two Tests providing a potential platform. It is noted that any return would likely be as a specialist batter, as he has shelved his bowling for the time being.

In the other selection puzzle, Usman Khawaja made a firm case for his preferred opening partner. With current incumbent Sam Konstas struggling for consistent runs, Khawaja endorsed Matt Renshaw, highlighting his readiness and previous Test experience.

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“I think our best line-up has Marnus three, [Steve] Smith four and [Travis] Head five,” he said. “I know if Renshaw is picked, that he is in the best space right now to have a crack at Australia again and be ready to score runs. Obviously, I am a little bit biased because he is my opening partner and a friend of mine, but he’s been there and done it. He has scored 184 for Australia.”