Mitchell Marsh in contention for Test comeback

• McDonald: Marsh Test return possible, batting form key for Ashes selection window.
• Khawaja backs Renshaw to open in 1st Test, prefers Labuschagne at No. 3.
• Selectors weigh options, Marsh focus is batting only since India series.

Australian head coach Andrew McDonald has stated that the door remains open for Mitchell Marsh to make a return to Test cricket during the Ashes, praising

the all-rounder’s current batting form. Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja has thrown his support behind Matt Renshaw, backing his Queensland teammate as the best option to open alongside him in the first Test.

Speaking ahead of the T20I series against India, McDonald acknowledged that while the immediate focus was on white-ball cricket, there are ongoing discussions around the Ashes. He indicated that the selectors would have no hesitation in picking a player straight out of white-ball cricket to face England, but also noted that Marsh could get a window to return to Sheffield Shield cricket, which coincides with the first two Tests.

McDonald’s comments align with those made earlier in April, when the chair of selectors reaffirmed that Marsh’s Test career was not over despite being dropped after the India series in January. The possibility of a recall has gained momentum in recent weeks following Marsh’s outstanding white-ball form, where he has scored 555 runs in his last 10 innings.

"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. 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,” McDonald said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"We feel he's batting as well as he has for a long period of time. And when he got dropped last summer, I think he was one of our highest averages from Headingley [in the 2023 Ashes] to that point. He hit a bit of a flat patch there, and we felt it best at that time to bring Beau Webster in,” he added.

Australia’s T20I captain and stand-in ODI skipper has light-heartedly dismissed the idea of a Test comeback in recent weeks, often responding with humour when asked about his red-ball future. During the tour of New Zealand, Marsh offered a blunt ‘no’ when questioned about whether he was considering a return to the Test side. More recently, he joked that he would be ‘six beers deep by lunch on day one’ of the Ashes opener.

"We still haven't given up on Mitch Marsh's Test career. 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] can press his claim through that. There's Shield [rounds] five and six also when we're playing the Test matches, where players that aren't in the first Test will obviously go to work then,” said McDonald.

Western Australia are scheduled to play a day-night Sheffield Shield match against South Australia starting November 22, followed by a clash with Victoria in the final round before the Big Bash League break. Marsh featured in two Shield games last season before the India series, where he was subsequently dropped after a string of poor performances, six single-figure scores in seven innings. However, even if recalled, it is unlikely he would resume his all-round role, as he has not bowled competitively since the India series and has since focused entirely on his batting.

Renshaw is someone who belongs to the next level: Khawaja

Meanwhile, Khawaja has thrown his support behind Matt Renshaw, expressing confidence that the left-hander is ready to return to Test cricket. The selectors are currently weighing up their options for the opening slot ahead of the first Test in Perth. Sam Konstas, who partnered Khawaja in the West Indies, remains the incumbent opener but has struggled for runs, managing just one fifty in four Shield innings this season following a lean Caribbean tour.

There’s also a possibility that Marnus Labuschagne could move up to open if both Cameron Green and Beau Webster are included in the playing XI. However, Khawaja has made it clear he would prefer Labuschagne to bat at No. 3, where he has been most successful for Australia.

"I think our best line-up has Marnus three, [Steve] Smith four and [Travis] Head five. I know if Renshaw is picked, that he is in the best place 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,” said Khawaja ahead of Queensland’s match against New South Wales at the Gabba.

"He hasn't done himself any harm with the way he has played in the last three matches in the one-dayers [against India]. He has taken the pressure on really well and looked the part, which he always does whenever he goes to the next level. You feel like he is one guy that really belongs at the next level,” he added.