Usman Khawaja has expressed strong support for the recall of Matthew Renshaw to the Australian cricket team as they prepare for the Ashes series, which kicks off next month in Perth. Ahead of the Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales at the Gabba, Khawaja outlined what he believes should be Australia’s ideal batting lineup, featuring Marnus Labuschagne at No. 3, Steve Smith at No. 4, and Travis Head at No. 5.
Renshaw, who is 29 years old, recently made headlines with a century in the Sheffield Shield and has demonstrated his capabilities with three notable performances in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). Despite a career marked by ups and downs over his 14 Test appearances, Khawaja is confident that Renshaw is ready to seize the opportunity once more.
“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,” said Khawaja. He acknowledged his personal bias, as Renshaw is both his opening partner and a close friend. Yet, he emphasized Renshaw’s past achievements, including a score of 184 for Australia, highlighting that experience has only made him more resilient.
Khawaja noted that Renshaw’s recent performances in ODIs have put him in a strong position mentally. “He hasn’t done himself any harm with the way he has played in the last three matches,” Khawaja remarked. “He has taken the pressure on really well and looked the part, which he always does whenever he goes to the next level.”
Renshaw’s mental approach has evolved significantly. He has stopped fixating on external commentary regarding his performance, which has contributed to his improved state of mind. “It doesn’t surprise me that he’s deleted the CA app and is not looking at the paper,” Khawaja observed. “I haven’t done it for six years now and I am glad he has gone the same way.”
The camaraderie between Khawaja and Renshaw is evident, with Renshaw attributing his growth to Khawaja’s mentorship. “He literally copies everything I do,” Khawaja humorously noted about Renshaw’s choices in cricket gear and lifestyle.
As for Marnus Labuschagne, Khawaja firmly believes he deserves a spot in the team. Labuschagne has shown remarkable form this season, scoring four centuries across both Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup matches. “Our best side has Marnus in it,” Khawaja stated. He pointed out that Labuschagne is now finding a better balance in his preparation, opting to train more strategically rather than excessively.
“He is hitting less balls than he ever has,” Khawaja explained, noting that Labuschagne is now more selective about when he practices. “He always works hard but now he is choosing when he works hard. He is growing and understanding he doesn’t need to hit four million balls to be ready.”
As the Australian team gears up for the Ashes series, the decisions around player selection will be crucial. Khawaja’s insights reflect not only his confidence in his fellow players but also the importance of mental resilience in high-stakes cricket. With Renshaw and Labuschagne potentially playing pivotal roles, fans will be eager to see how the team shapes up at the start of the series.
