Matthew Renshaw and Peter Handscomb have made their cases stronger for inclusion in the Australian squad for the Ashes. The Ashes will be hosted by England from June 16th to July 31st this year.
Renshaw has scored an impressive 140 against New Zealand A and Handscomb scored a match winning 112 for Leicestershire in the county championship final against Yorkshire.
Both Renshaw and Handscomb missed out on a 12-month central contract in the list announced by Cricket Australia earlier in April, but are in strong contention for a flight to Britain. Marcus Harris, another opener, Usman Khwaja and David Warner were included in the list.
Here is why David Warner may not be the first choice while Matthew Renshaw is making all the right noises
Despite being included in the list, Warner’s place in the side has become uncertain of late with runs drying up off his bat. He couldn’t trouble the scorers much during the home summer and on the tour to India.
With the Final of the World Test Championship scheduled to be held in June, it may be his last and most important chance to get some runs under his belt and repair the foundations of his place in the side.
Handscomb impressed in the couple of innings he played in India and his latest performance in the County Championship final is surely going to give the selectors a problem of plenty. That Cricket Australia is serious about the Ashes is evident from the fact that they have been trying to emulate the English conditions as far as possible.
George Bailey made things clear on Renshaw and Pete Handscomb’s stance for the Ashes
Games are being played with the Dukes ball and the weather in New Zealand during the autumn are also similar to what is expected to prevail in England during the Ashes.
Australian Team’s Chief of Selectors George Bailey’s remarks indicated that Warner was not assured of a spot and that like others, he was at the ‘mercy of selection’ and would have to earn his spot. Head Coach Andrew McDonald said that he believed it would be easier for Warner to score in the WTC final at the Oval than it was in India and that he was firmly in plans for the final.
“The Ashes is a huge series, and we’ll be looking to pick our best team,” Bailey said. “I think we’re going to have to have our best team playing incredibly well.”
He further added, “I think the point Andrew was making was it [India] is a different team with a different way of playing, so I support Andrew’s comments on that around David,” Bailey said.“
It’s going to be very challenging. England is playing some incredible cricket, so the team and the squad that we picked for that tour are going to need to be at their absolute best.” he added
