Australia’s Ashes Squad 2023: Matt Renshaw’s on crying in front of Joe Root and his desire to play for England

One of Matt Renshaw’s cricket dreams was to play the Ashes — but in a blue cap not a green one. He details his relationship with Joe Root and more, plus see the full Aussie squad.

Matt Renshaw has never played a Test match against Joe Root but he has shed tears in front of him.

As you do when you are a five-year-old playing cricket on the outfield with older boys and you get out and are asked to give someone else a bat.

Selection for an Ashes tour in an emotional moment for every player but it truly is a watershed moment in the life of Renshaw who lived in England until the age of seven before moving to New Zealand in 2003 then Australia in 2007.

English batting superstar Root and Renshaw used to look on as their fathers opened the batting for Sheffield Collegiate, the northern England club which also produced Michael Vaughan. They would play on the outfield after stumps.

Matt Renshaw. Picture: Getty Images

Joe Root. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

“He (Joe) was a bit older than me and knew what he was doing and I just wanted to bat all the time,’’ Renshaw said.

“I was always crying when I got out and he was one of those nice kids who would give me an extra bat every time I asked for one.

“Now it will be interesting to go up against him. I haven’t played against him yet.’’

Root gently reminded Renshaw of the tears he shed when they had dinner during the 2013 Ashes.

“When I was younger it was always a dream to play the Ashes. When I was nine years old it was never to play for Australia. We weren’t living here at the time but now I am really excited to be playing Ashes for Australia.

“It’s something I have dreamed off as a kid so I am really happy to be there. It was probably a bit strange for me growing up and supporting England.’’

Renshaw, with Marcus Harris, is essentially on standby for David Warner should Warner’s Test form not improve but the 27-year-old can also bat in the middle order.

Renshaw has been named in the Aussies’ Ashes squad. Picture: Getty Images

Aware that Renshaw once starred for the Australian Under-19s in England and averages in the high 40s for Somerset, Australia has always liked the thought of taking Renshaw back to his nation of birth but his chances were set back when he failed in difficult circumstances on the recent tour of India.

Two subsequent centuries for Australia A in New Zealand sealed his promotion.

Renshaw was in contention for the last Ashes tour in 2019 and the home Ashes series before that before his form wilted partially due to the fact he wanted it so much.

“You can get so fixated. A similar thing happened six years ago before the home Ashes where I was playing in the first Test and then couldn’t borrow a run. Everyone said “he shouldn’t be playing’’ and I got into my own head I shouldn’t be playing because I listened to the media too much.’’

There is a chance Renshaw may end up opening the batting with Khawaja, his mentor on and off the field.

“I have spent a lot of time with him. And he will probably admit I copy him a bit too much but he is one of those people who is so down to earth and understanding of cricket because he has been through so much in his career.’’

WARNER’S ONE MATCH TO SAVE TEST CAREER AMID SHOCK MARSH RETURN

— Daniel Cherny

David Warner has effectively been given one match to save his Test career as Australia gives serious consideration to playing all-rounder Cameron Green and Mitchell Marsh in the same XI during the Ashes.

Marsh was on Wednesday named in Australia’s Test squad for the first time in more than three years while selectors have placed a safety net beneath Warner with a selection shootout which could shape the vibe of the entire summer.

Cricket Australia announced a 17-man squad for the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval from June 7 and the first two Ashes Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s before the squad is reviewed for the final three Ashes Tests.

Selection chair George Bailey all but confirmed Warner would play against India but stopped well short of guaranteeing the veteran’s place for the first Ashes Test.

“The way we’re sort of looking at that is it’s the culmination of what’s been a pretty consistent two years for a bunch of guys,” Bailey said of the likely XI for the WTC final.

“Fundamentally it’s been a pretty similar team for a long period of time. So we’re confident that’s a team and that’s a make-up that can have success.”

Mitchell Marsh has bolted into Australia’s Test squad. Picture AFP

But pressed on the Ashes, Bailey was much more equivocal.

“Not specifically to Dave but I think we’ll get through that Test championship,” Bailey said.

“Different opposition, different surface. We’ll work through that.”

Warner, who averages just 26 in Tests in England, has been chosen for his fourth Ashes tour in a 17-man squad which features Victorian opener Marcus Harris and Queensland’s Matt Renshaw who are also jostling for the right to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order.

Old foe Stuart Broad, who tormented Warner on the last tour, remains a highly competitive force at age 36 and vision of him rattling Cam Bancroft’s stumps in county cricket this week was a reminder of his potency.

The fact that the squad’s two reserve batsmen are experienced openers shows the focus Australia is putting on this position.

Renshaw was born in England and has shown in his county form with Somerset that he feels comfortable in English conditions. That he can also bat down the order is seen as an advantage over Bancroft, who had a stellar home summer.

Renshaw is the sole non-CA contracted player included in the squad.

He would relish the chance to partner his mentor Khawaja but a form stumble on the recent Indian tour meant he missed a contract and only just made the cut for this tour.

David Warner has been included in the Ashes squad. Picture: Getty

Marsh, 31, hasn’t played a Test since taking a career-best 5-46 in the fifth Test of the 2019 Ashes at The Oval. Green’s ascension had all but consigned the more senior West Australian to reserve status but the selection panel of Bailey, Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide have backed in the white-ball mainstay as a genuine option for the first half of the tour after he recovered from injury to resume bowling recently.

“I think that’s a potential, absolutely,” Bailey said of the prospect of playing the all-rounders in the same team.

“You look through that squad, there’s a couple of guys with the ability to bat through that middle, which is where you’d look to bat Mitch as well.

“It’d be exciting times if you could start to squeeze in two to three all-rounders into your top six if they were batting well enough.”

Firebrand paceman Lance Morris has been left out of the squad as he battles a back injury. Bailey said Morris would be “deloaded” for four to six weeks with a view to him playing during the Australian summer.

Australia's squad for the Ashes 2023.

Long-time depth player Michael Neser was also left out, as Australia selected just four frontline quicks, down from six in 2019.

Australia’s attack is one of the most experienced it has sent to England but is not as settled as it looks on paper.

Josh Hazlewood’s continued challenges with his Achilles tendon has clouded his future and Scott Boland’s excellent Test record and suitability to English conditions will see him given firm consideration for a Test start.

Given the compact nature of the six Tests Australia will strong look at rotating its attack.

Neser, in England playing county cricket for Glamorgan, could still be called upon at some point, as could the uncapped Sean Abbott, who is with Surrey.

Australia has not won a series in England since 2001 and they will have to play well to beat a revitalised England team who have risen from the deep grave of the last Ashes tour of Australia to win nine of their last 11 Tests.