Matthew Renshaw pressuring David Warner ahead of The Ashes with second century for Australia A in conditions designed to replicate England
- Queensland opener scored 140 in most recent game
- Is one of many players competing for an opening spot
- There is no guarantee that Warner will open at The Ashes
Queensland cricketer Matthew Renshaw continued his pursuit of an Ashes spot on Monday with a century against New Zealand A in Lincoln.
The Australia A-opener scored 140 as the visitors went 5-297 in their second innings before bad lighting stopped play.
Renshaw’s performance will put more pressure on incumbent opener David Warner, who struggles to convince selectors he’s worthy of one last Ashes hurray.
Warner, who is a veteran of six series against England, will have to face India in the World Test Championship final in June for a chance to play in the Ashes.
Australia are scheduled to select their tour teams for the one-off game at the Kia Oval plus the first two of the five games to follow against the in-form team of Ben Stokes this week.
However, both coach Andrew McDonald and national selector George Bailey have stopped approving the 103-cap batsman for automatic inclusion against England amid his drastic slump in form.
Renshaw has recovered from a disappointing tour of India with two tons for Australia A playing in New Zealand where conditions are similar to those in England
Warner is not guaranteed a spot in The Ashes and will need to find form quickly in the World Test Championship final against India
Renshaw missed in the first innings of this match, but continued to dominate, scoring 112 and then 78 from just 72 in the first match of a tour designed to replicate the conditions Australia will face at the Ashes in England in June and July.
His performances will make him a strong contender to replace David Warner at the top of the table should he retire or not be selected to play against England.
Marcus Harris, who was given an Australian central contract earlier than Renshaw, is also in fine form, scoring a century and a half for Gloucestershire in the County Championship.
In form Western Australian Cameron Bancroft scored 44 in his first knock for Somerset.
Peter Handscomb guided his new county Leicestershire to their first county championship win in 19 months after following up his century in the first innings against Yorkshire with a match-winning unbeaten 68 at Headingley on Sunday.
Harris was rewarded with a contract with Cricket Australia after a strong season with Victory and is well in the mix for The Ashes
Bancroft will play for Somerset in the UK to give himself the best chance of joining The Ashes
Renshaw’s century came about in partnership with Tim Ward, who made 63 in a 136-run stand with the southpaw.
First innings maker Aaron Hardie came out for 33. Late called up Jordan Buckingham was the destroyer on Sunday as the hosts were bowled out for 246, as Renshaw took 2-32.
Australia A leads 304 leading into Tuesday’s final day in the two-game series. The hosts won from a similar position in the series opener.
Ward admitted his call-up came as a surprise after a meager run to close out the Sheffield Shield season, but said he was pleased his hard work had gotten him there and that the selectors had shown a bit of confidence.
“I got some clarity on my game; where I wanted to score, defend and leave,” he said.
Renshaw was called back to Australia’s test team on the recent tour of India to bat in mid order, but did himself no favors with scores of 0, 2 and 2.
However, his form on this tour will make him a strong contender for the Ashes side as the race for the opening positions heats up.