David Warner wants Matt Renshaw to score runs this week when Queensland hosts NSW

THEY may be opponents this week but David Warner has some advice for fellow Test opener Matthew Renshaw as the young batsman looks to get among the runs before the first Ashes Test.

Matthew Renshaw and David Warner in action for the Aussies. Picture: Getty Images

DON’T read the papers. Play your own game. And above all, show intent in everything you do.

That is the advice Australia’s senior opening batsman David Warner has for his junior partner Matt Renshaw, who will this week attempt to batten down his place for the Gabba Ashes Test starting Thursday week.

Warner and Renshaw are on opposite sides as NSW play Queensland at Border Field from Monday, but Warner still hopes Renshaw can make runs after failing to better 19 in his first four Shield innings of the summer.

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“I want him to score runs this week,’’ Warner said.

“He has been under a little bit of pressure. There has been a bit of talk in the media. That is what this game is about.

“You have to keep putting the numbers on the board. As a youngster I would be steering clear of reading any papers about it.’’

Matt Renshaw with fellow Aussie opener David Warner. Picture: Getty Images

Asked about the conflicting emotions of wanting to see a rival do well in a game he was playing Warner said: “I want anyone to score runs so long as we win.’’

“I am a mate of his. At the end of the day you play the game to win, you wish people all the success they can get.’’

Renshaw has struggled to move out of first gear in this year’s Sheffield Shield matches but Warner said the youngster should not be pressured into changing his game.

“Each person brings their own game to the table,” he said.

“I stick to my game irrespective of who is at the other end. At the end of the day he has to keep playing the way he plays.

“We always talk about intent. Intent can be leaving the ball and your mannerisms around the crease. Those things bring a spark to my eye when I am at the other end. You know when your partner is on as well.’’

Bulls captain Usman Khawaja said Renshaw was on the verge of a big score.

“He has played some really good cricket and the results haven’t shown at this stage,” he said.

“He grafted out a big innings (19 from 109 balls) for us (against Tasmania) chasing 150 when the ball started reversing very quickly.

Usman Khawaja isn’t worried about Matthew Renshaw. Pic Peter Wallis

“Him and Burnsy (Joe Burns) put on a great partnership to set up that run chase which goes unnoticed because you just look at the scorecard.

“There is a lot of talk about the Ashes these days. I’m sure he’s not worrying about it too much. He’s a very level-headed kid.

“I’m positive he is going to score some big runs very soon. I’ve got no doubt about that. I’m not worried about him at all.”

Matthew Wade is likely to lose his place as wicketkeeper in the Test team with NSW gloveman Peter Nevill favoured to replace him.

Warner said the decision was up to the selectors but he was impressed by Nevill’s recent form.

“(From) Where I sit he has obviously done a good job,” he said.

“I have played with him the last couple of games. He has been outstanding around the guys. His mannerisms towards the game of cricket are second to none.

“He has a fantastic work ethic and I am sure if the selectors go that way he will give 100 per cent as he does for every team he plays for.’’

Warner said England were a “great team’’ but agreed with Cricket Australia XI coach Ryan Harris that they had some soft spots which could be exploited.

“They are quite stable up top with Cook and Root but as Ryan said they could be quite vulnerable with a few gaps,” Warner said.

“They are going through a few things we were going through a few years back with transitioning. They probably have not nailed a couple of spots but have picked a team they think can beat us on home soil.’’

Australia’s fast bowling quartet of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Jackson Bird will not play this week’s Sheffield Shield round, instead spending the week in Brisbane training for the Test.

With Australia unlikely to choose an all-rounder at No. 6 the workload on the fast bowlers could be heavy all summer and with Nathan Coulter-Nile and James Pattinson injured the depth is not as convincing as it looked a month or two ago.