Renshaw Blocks Out Ashes Buzz: "I Hide from the Noise"

Matt Renshaw is taking a calm and grounded approach to his cricketing future, deliberately distancing himself from the hype surrounding a potential Test recall for the upcoming Ashes series.

Despite scoring an unbeaten 21 in his ODI debut against India last Sunday and a century in the opening Sheffield Shield match of the season, the 29-year-old Queenslander insists he is not chasing headlines or obsessing over selection.

“Obviously I want to be there — it would be remiss of me not to say that,” Renshaw told reporters in Adelaide ahead of the second ODI. “But I try and stay away from it as much as possible.”

Renshaw admitted he didn’t even know the schedule of the ODI series when first called up and has intentionally tuned out from the cricketing chatter — including performance updates of rival contenders for Australia’s Test opening spot.

“It’s a conscious decision. I used to come off the field and check how everyone else went in other Shield games. Now, I couldn’t even tell you who scored runs,” he said.

His new mindset reflects a shift in priorities. Now a father of two — a two-year-old daughter and a five-month-old son — Renshaw says his self-worth is no longer tied to his cricketing stats.

“A lot of the time when you're young, you think being picked for Australia makes you a good person,” he said. “Now I go home and I’ve got nappies to change, kids to put to bed. That’s my validation.”

Since debuting in 2016 as a 20-year-old after just 12 first-class games, Renshaw’s international career has seen ups and downs. He scored a Test century in just his fourth match but has featured in only 14 Tests, with his last appearance in 2023.

However, his recent domestic form — including that Shield hundred — has reignited speculation that he could partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order this summer. Even former Test captain Greg Chappell has thrown his support behind Renshaw for a recall.

But Renshaw, inspired by Khawaja’s own late-career resurgence, is choosing not to chase the dream too hard.

“I’m really close with Uzzy. He thought his Test journey was over, and look at him now,” Renshaw said. “It’s almost like once you let go of that pressure, that’s when it all falls into place.”

He added, “If I get everything else in order, the cricket will take care of itself.”

Australia leads the ODI series against India 1-0, with the second match set to take place in Adelaide.