Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb make big statements ahead of Ashes

Australia's calculus for the Ashes has taken another turn, with the likes of Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb both delivering powerhouse performances ahead of the crucial England tour. Renshaw pressed his case with an innings of 140 against New Zealand A, while Handscomb had a turn as matchwinner for Leicestershire in the county championship final against Yorkshire.

Both players are in the frame for Ashes selection, despite missing out on a 12-month Cricket Australia contract when they were announced earlier in April. Marcus Harris, also a contender for the opening batter spot alongside Usman Khawaja, was awarded a contract, as was the incumbent opener David Warner.

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However after a home summer and tour of India largely bereft of runs for Warner, his place in the side is far from assured and will likely need a big innings in the World Test Championship final against India at The Oval to solidify his claim on the spot. Renshaw and Handscomb's heroics over the weekend have done little but increase the pressure on the 36-year-old.

Renshaw struggled in his Test recall, albeit with some extenuating circumstances, while Handscomb impressed in a handful of innings in India. Both continued to press their cases, with Renshaw clubbing 140 in the opening spot for Australia A in their unofficial pre-Ashes series against New Zealand A.

In a nod to the serious with which Cricket Australia is treating that tour, games are being played with the Dukes ball used in the Ashes in order to replicate English conditions as closely as possible. The autumn conditions in New Zealand have also been described as resembling those expected in the Ashes.

Meanwhile, Handscomb was getting a taste of the English conditions first hand, as he helped Leicestershire to an exciting county championship triumph thanks to his a match-winning unbeaten 68 at Headingley. Needing 28 to win with three overs left and accompanied at the crease by No.9 batsman Chris Wright, the pair combined for some explosive shot-making to get Leicestershire over the line.

David Warner under pressure from Renshaw, Handscomb

Title favourites Yorkshire, who had amassed a huge 517 in their first innings, last lost at Headingley to Leicestershire in a first-class match in 1910. Handscomb, who had been dropped on 41 in the first innings before going on to make 112, should have been out for two after tea on Sunday when Yorkshire skipper Adam Lyth spilled one at first slip off Dom Bess.

Handscomb's coolness under pressure came to the fore with Leicestershire 7-327 in the 78th over, still needing 62 more, as he came together with Wright for the game-clinching 65 partnership in eight overs.

It comes as chief of selectors George Bailey indicated Warner was not assured of the opening spot, saying it was his to earn and that, like the rest of the team, he was at the 'mercy of selection'.

“The Ashes is a huge series, and we’ll be looking to pick our best team,” Bailey said. “I think we’re going to have to have our best team playing incredibly well.”

Head coach Andrew McDonald said Warner was 'fully in our plans' for the WTC final, backing Warner to have an easier time at The Oval than on India's home soil. He scored just 26 runs in three innings in India, a venue Bailey noted Warner had historically struggled at.

“I think the point Andrew was making was it [India] is a different team with a different way of playing, so I support Andrew’s comments on that around David,” Bailey said.

“It’s going to be very challenging. England are playing some incredible cricket, so the team and the squad that we picked for that tour are going to need to be at their absolute best.”

With AAP

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