Mitchell Marsh Still in Ashes Frame as Khawaja Backs Renshaw for Test Return

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that Mitchell Marsh remains in contention for a Test comeback in next year’s Ashes series, praising the all-rounder’s form and hinting that he could return to Sheffield Shield cricket after the upcoming T20I series against India.

Speaking ahead of the first T20I in India, McDonald said the selectors would have no hesitation picking a player directly from white-ball cricket if it benefited the Test side. Marsh, who has been in superb limited-overs form, could still feature in domestic red-ball matches before the Ashes if his schedule allows.

“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 that was going to benefit the Test team,” McDonald said. “He’s batting as well as he has for a long period of time.”

Marsh has been in prolific form across formats, scoring 555 runs in his last ten white-ball innings. Although he was dropped from the Test side earlier this year following a lean run against India, McDonald reiterated that his Test career is far from over.

“We still haven’t given up on Mitch Marsh’s Test career,” he added. “He could prepare through white-ball games or by playing Shield cricket after that if he’s not selected in the first Test squad.”

Western Australia have two Shield matches scheduled during the first phase of the Test summer — a day-night fixture against South Australia from November 22, followed by a clash with Victoria before the Big Bash League begins. These games could provide Marsh a platform to press his case for Ashes selection.

However, Marsh is unlikely to feature as a bowling all-rounder, having not bowled competitively since late 2024 due to workload management and injuries.

Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja has thrown his support behind Matt Renshaw to open alongside him in the first Test against England. With Sam Konstas struggling for form — managing just one fifty in four Shield innings — Renshaw has emerged as a strong contender following consistent domestic and one-day performances.

“I think our best line-up has Marnus [Labuschagne] at three, [Steve] Smith at four, and [Travis] Head at five,” Khawaja said ahead of Queensland’s Shield game at the Gabba. “If Renshaw is picked, he’s in the best space right now to have a crack at Australia again. He’s been there, done it, and has the temperament for Test cricket.”

Renshaw, who last played a Test in early 2024, has impressed in recent limited-overs outings against India, handling pressure situations with maturity.

“He’s taken the pressure on really well and looked the part, which he always does when he steps up,” Khawaja added. “He’s one guy who really belongs at the next level.”

With Marsh’s Test ambitions rekindled and Renshaw pushing for a recall, Australia’s selectors face several key decisions ahead of the Ashes opener in Perth, where competition for top-order and middle-order spots is intensifying.