Renshaw, Harris, Labuschagne make their Ashes cases in Shield action; Green makes bowling return

Forgotten Test openers Matthew Renshaw and Marcus Harris staked their claims for an Ashes recall, while allrounder Cameron Green made a promising return to the bowling crease, as the focus on this summer’s blue-chip Test series intensifies.

And Marnus Labuschagne also made a splash with the bat on Sunday, as the race to be Usman Khawaja’s opening partner in next month’s Ashes opener in Perth gained pace.

The national selectors wanted batters to get busy in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield, and that was again the case on day two of the ongoing three matches across the country.

Matt Renshaw.Credit: Getty Images

In Queensland, Renshaw, who played the last of his 14 Tests in 2023, eased to his 24th first-class century off 182 deliveries against Tasmania at Allan Border Field. On a friendly batting deck, Renshaw, 29, stroked 12 boundaries and a six, no doubt impressing selection chairman George Bailey. He finished the afternoon unbeaten on 114 (214 deliveries), with 14 boundaries and a six.

The left-hander was well-balanced at the crease, his on-drives off the fast bowlers and willingness to drive and cut the spinners, even reverse sweeping, ensuring his name will be in Ashes contention.

In Adelaide, Harris, who played the last of his 14 Tests against England in 2021-22, made a patient 61 off 149 deliveries against the Redbacks before, as the non-striker, he was run-out by a brilliant direct hit at mid-off from Daniel Drew.

Harris, 33, stroked three boundaries at No.3, despite having been a long-time opener. He was in regular contact with Bailey through the northern summer while playing with English county side Lancashire, where he was told he remained in calculations.

Bulls skipper Labuschagne, opting to bat himself at No.3 despite also gunning for a Test opening position, notched a half-century in quick time (54 not out at stumps).

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He took almost a dozen deliveries to get off the mark, but then found his groove, dashing to 28 off his next 15 deliveries. He was fortunate to not be run out on 30, but had five boundaries and a six in his half-century.

Labuschagne started the domestic season with a bang, crafting a 92-ball century in the Bulls’ one-day opener against Victoria.

He has been on the outer at Test level after being dropped from Australia’s team mid-year for the three-Test series against the West Indies.

Incumbent Test opener Khawaja, 38, also had a positive start to the summer (69 off 110 deliveries). This included 10 boundaries, before he gloved a delivery behind off medium pacer Kieran Elliott.

Khawaja has a top score of 47 in his last 10 Test innings, so this latest knock will have eased any concerns the selectors may have had heading into what shapes as the left-hander’s final Test campaign.

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Batters Jordan Silk, Henry Hunt and Jake Lehmann made centuries over the weekend to also push their claims.

Meanwhile, Test allrounder Green returned to the bowling crease in Perth for the first time since suffering his fifth back stress fracture last year.

In a significant boost for Australia’s Ashes hopes, Green emerged unscathed from his four-over spell (1-13) at the WACA. That his lone wicket came after bending his back and digging a ball in short to have Charlie Stobo caught at first slip added to the delight of he and his teammates.

Marcus Harris plays delightfully through the off side on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images

While he had returned for Australia in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s, and played all three Tests on the tour of the West Indies, Green did not bowl.

He said last week the plan was to have no bowling restrictions come the Ashes opener.

While Green returned to the crease, the health of Test skipper Pat Cummins is a point of discussion, for he continues to deal with a bone stress issue in his lower back and has not played since the West Indies tour.

He has yet to resume bowling, and will need more scans before he is cleared to do so.

The star strike bowler, 32, has conceded he may even miss all games before the first Test in Perth, beginning November 21, which could spark questions about his fitness and ability to play a full five days.

Former Ashes winning captain Mark Taylor said on Sunday he was concerned about Cummins.

“It is a bit of a worry, there’s no doubt about that,” Taylor told Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

Back in business: Cameron Green was delighted to be thrown the ball for the first time in a year in WA’s Sheffield Shield clash.Credit: AP

“Pat quite rightly is playing it down because he says he is going to play all five Test matches, but during the week he’s saying he’s not going to play any lead-up games.

“Well, that’s a worry in itself ... he’s got a hot spot in his back, how does he test it out?

“I know he’ll do nets and workouts in the gym, but the game itself is where you find that extra yard, that extra bit of adrenaline kicks in. It’ll be interesting to see how he goes.

“There will be some rotation of the bowlers during the summer I’m sure, but let’s hope for Australia and for Pat Cummins that he can play all five Tests.”

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