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David Warner has named opener Matt Renshaw as the long-term replacement of Usman Khawaja in the Australia Test side.
Khawaja, 38, has been in the spotlight after being ruled out of the second Ashes Test at the Gabba due to injury.
The southpaw could not field in the opening Test because of a back spasm, which subsequently pushed Australia to move Travis Head up the order with debutant Jake Weatherald.
Speaking ahead of the Big Bash League (BBL) 15, Warna answered questions about Usman Khawaja’s place in the side ahead of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, starting on 17 December.
Warner backed Khawaja to open, stating that Travis Head batting down the order will pose a major threat to England bowlers.
“I think Uzzy (Khawaja) comes back in, slides to the top, and Trav (Head) goes down,” Warner told reporter.
“That’s probably a worse result for England, Travis Head going back down the order,” he cautioned.
The 39-year-old emphasized Head’s attacking mindset, noting that the left-hander will be ready to bat up the order if needed.
“At the end of the day, Travis put his hand up to bat in the situation he was in,” he explained.
“He came out and batted in the way Travis Head does. You see plenty of interviews from Trav saying that is Uzzy’s spot, and if when the time comes they ask him to go up the order, he wouldn’t mind to do that.
David Warner also named Matt Renshaw as Usman Khawaja’s successor in the Australian Test side while admitting that the former has to score runs in a bid to extend his career.
“But moving forward, Renshaw could be one (option for replacement). I think he’ll slide straight back in there. He’s had a taste of Test cricket,” Warner said.
The 29-year-old Matt Renshaw has played 14 Tests and scored 645 runs at an average of 29.31, with his last Test appearance coming against India in 2023.
At the end of the day, you still have to score runs.” “You’ll deserve the dream farewell if you score runs and the selectors stick by you,” he concluded.
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