Australia domestic opener Matt Renshaw — despite mounting a strong case for selection with a recent century in the Sheffield Shield — has publicly backed Usman Khawaja to keep his place at the top of the order ahead of the second Test of the Ashes 2025–26 series.
Renshaw, who hit 112 for Queensland against Victoria in a day-night Shield match at the Gabba this weekend, acknowledged that while his own form makes him a candidate, he doesn’t expect to be selected if Khawaja is fit.
He pointed out Khawaja’s long and proven Test record and said the veteran remains “one of our best batters.”
The head coach of Australia, Andrew McDonald, and other pundits have noted the uncertainty around Khawaja’s fitness after back spasms disrupted his contribution in the opener in Perth, and he remains under assessment ahead of the next match in Brisbane.
