White-ball stint worth it for Renshaw in Ashes race
Scott Bailey |
Matt Renshaw believes his one-day foray for Australia will prove beneficial, even if it meant missing a chance for more red-ball cricket in the Ashes selection battle.
Renshaw capped a reasonably successful maiden ODI series for Australia on Saturday, top scoring for his team with 56 in their nine-wicket loss to India.
Considered an outside shot to open the batting in the first Ashes Test next month, Renshaw has begun the summer with a century in his sole Sheffield Shield match.
He then missed Queensland’s next clash while in Australia’s one-day camp, denying him the chance to pile on more runs and make the case for an Ashes recall.
The 29-year-old will return to Queensland’s team to face NSW this week, with selectors set to announce a squad for the Perth Test after this Shield round.
But asked if there was some benefit to playing white-ball cricket against India rather than first-class games for Queensland, Renshaw indicated there was.
“I got to play against the best ODI side in the world,” Renshaw said.
“For me, I get to represent my country, play in a format I’ve never done before, experience playing in front of full crowds against an unbelievable Indian side.”
For Renshaw to be picked for the first Test on November 21, a number of things would need to fall in his favour.
With Marnus Labuschagne almost certain to be picked, selectors would need to decide they prefer him at No.3 rather than opening.
That would mean incumbent Beau Webster being squeezed out at No.6, with selectors then left to choose between Renshaw, Jake Weatherald or Sam Konstas to partner Usman Khawaja.
The other factor for Renshaw and other prospective openers is that 38-year-old Khawaja is no guarantee to play beyond this summer, meaning the door could open again soon.
Renshaw played the last of his 14 Tests for Australia in February 2023, but has not opened for Australia since 2018.
Asked if he felt ready for a recall, Renshaw put his focus firmly on this week.
“I’m ready for Tuesday. The Shield game on Tuesday. I think it’s the same cricket ball, it’s just a different colour,” the Queenslander said.
“My batting, if I’m showing good intent, whatever format that may be, it’s obviously the different shots that you need to play in red ball.
“My feet are feeling really good against the quicks, spin is feeling good. So hopefully I can score some runs in the next Shield game and win a game for Queensland.”
Meanwhile, Australian officials confirmed Josh Hazlewood had only suffered bleeding to his non-bowling hand after leaving the field late against India.
Hazlewood is in Australia’s squad for the first two Twenty20s against India, before being scheduled to return to NSW for a Shield game ahead of the first Test.
AAP
