Greg Chappell says Matt Renshaw should open in first Ashes Test, wants Travis Head to be captain
Aussie great Greg Chappell has urged selectors not to use Marnus Labuschagne as an opener during the Ashes, earmarking a surprise choice to partner Usman Khawaja.
Australian cricket legend Greg Chappell has declared the time for experimenting with Marnus Labuschagne is over, arguing for Matt Renshaw to open the batting alongside Usman Khawaja to start the Ashes.
Chappell meanwhile said that Travis Head should captain Australia in the likelihood that Pat Cummins is unavailable for much if not all of the Ashes, albeit conceding that selectors were likely to stick with Steve Smith in such a situation.
Speaking on Wednesday as he launched his new book The Chappell Chronicles by Wilkinson Publishing, Chappell reiterated that Cameron Green should bat down the order, but accepted that picking the West Australian in an XI without Beau Webster was a risky proposition given Green is returning from a long-term back injury and experienced side soreness last week.
“It is a risk in that if you think that fourth pace bowler is necessary, you could well be without Green on the afternoon of the first day,” Chappell said.
“I don’t think they’re going to take him in if (there’s) risk. All I can say is that I’ve read from the chairman of selectors, is that it’s very minor, and they just didn’t want to take any risk.
“I think he’s a generational player, as a batsman, as an all-rounder, but I don’t think you want him bowling a lot of overs. And if he’s bowling overs, you don’t want him batting at three because you pull up stiff.”
Chappell’s clear preference is for Labuschagne to return to his spot at No.3, having been trialled at the top in the World Test Championship final loss to South Africa at Lord’s, and that a specialist opener should bat alongside Khawaja. Green batted at first drop in the ensuing series against the West Indies, with Sam Konstas partnering with Khawaja.
“It still would feel like an experiment to me if you sent Marnus out to open the batting. I don’t think it’s time for experimenting,” Chappell said.
Despite Renshaw’s relatively middling recent record in first-class cricket, Chappell advocated for the Queenslander to be brought back into the Test fold for his first appearance since 2023, having recently been called up to Australia’s one-day squad.
Chappell would rather Renshaw than Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald, despite the left-hander’s excellent past 15 months against the red ball.
“It seems that Khawaja is a lock for the first Test. So then, you know, finding someone synergistic to bat with Khawaja, I would go with Renshaw. I think he’s played a bit of Test cricket, so he’s not a novice,” Chappell said.
“I think Weatherald coming into his first Test match is, you know, that’s asking a fair bit, as they did of Konstas last Boxing Day.”
Smith will captain in the almost certain eventuality that
Cummins misses part of if not the whole of the series because of his back injury.
But Chappell would instead opt for the younger Head, who is also a vice-captain of the side alongside Smith.
“I would go with Head, knowing that you’ve got Smith there to support him,” Chappell said.
“It’s a great opportunity to give him that experience. If you think he’s your next long-term captain, getting in there while he’s got Smith around to give him that support.”
Originally published as Greg Chappell says Matt Renshaw should open in first Ashes Test, wants Travis Head to be captain
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