Earlier this week it was announced that the sales of vinyl records are at their highest for 25 years.
In excess of three million LPs were purchased in UK stores in 2016 as an old staple made a triumphant return to favour.
Retro culture has been around for a while – the desire to revisit old habits and trends occupying a corner of the market that has always existed – but there are some elements you feel are on their way out, nostalgia or no nostalgia.
It was not too long ago that I commented on the retirement of Chris Rogers as being another link to the past being severed; of a more traditional way of playing the game being eroded that bit further as haste and impatience continues to wage war on measure and restraint.
The rise and rise of Twenty20 isn’t stopping anytime yet – that is cricket circa 2017 whether you like it or not – but there is a vinyl-esque revolution taking place as we speak.
The emergence of Haseeb Hameed on England’s recent underwhelming tour of India and Matthew Renshaw’s impressive start to his Test career for a resurgent Australia will have warmed the souls of those fearing graft and attrition were going the way of the coal mine.
Opening batting as it was meant to be, or at least as it always has been, serves a valuable purpose and you would be hard pushed to argue that both sides don’t have a far more solid look about them with the aforementioned pair in situ.
England’s search for Alastair Cook’s partner has mainly been one of instant eye-opening being followed by head-shaking as, in no particular order, Nick Compton, Sam Robson, Adam Lyth, Ben Duckett and Alex Hales have all come and gone with their methods being found wanting at the highest level.
Hameed has only had three outings to date, and perhaps a definitive judgement should be delayed until he has had a run of games, but so far all the right boxes have been ticked.
Technically he looks nice and tight – compare the way he defends, a factor which is all too often overlooked, to the skittish style of Duckett for example – and doesn’t appear to get flustered.
His range of scoring shot is relatively limited but there is no searching for an unnecessary gear, which is an admirable trait when all around are operating at a higher speed.
Watching Renshaw in action on the first day in Sydney, strolling along while David Warner was in fast forward at the other end, provided evidence of a maturity which Australia should be grateful they’ve managed to find.
That he barely had a run to his name when Warner motored to three figures is irrelevant; that he passed his partner’s score a good few hours later even less so.
Apologies for succumbing to the use of cliché but it really isn’t how but how many.
When Imran Khan breached his defences on the second morning, the Queenslander, just 16 shy of a double century, had more than done his job and if this is a sign of things to come then nobody should be complaining.
As with his English counterpart, Renshaw can defend, puts his head down and is never going to be, to use modern parlance, a 360-degree batsman.
Although some see that as a flaw, it is anything but.
If England want to reverse their downturn in Test fortunes around then Hameed, and the serenity he brings, will have a key part to play.
If Australia want their decent run of form to be maintained then Renshaw, with his steadfast commitment to crease occupation, can do the same.
It is no coincidence a more stable top order has led to better results and while it is quite right to marvel at Warner’s fireworks, sometimes the old ways have merit.
So if you’re listening, England and Australia selectors, please leave these two to it.
JohnB
Guest
qwetzen, you've never heard the expression "baby-faced assassin"? Accepting that the selectors may be putting too many eggs in that basket, there is more than one way to intimidate.
Alec Swann
Expert
DingoGray I think the comparison with Alastair Cook is quite a good one, certainly in terms of they way Renshaw gets his head down and operates at his own pace. The reference to him not really being a 360 degree batsman wasn't intended to be a slight, just that by and large he scores the majority of his runs primarily in a handful of areas rather than hitting it to all corners. Like Cook come to think of it. On you other point, there's more Matthew Elliott than Hayden in the way he plays. On what I've seen, he doesn't play anything like the latter.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
As an Englishmen Alec, Any thoughts on the comparison of Renshaw being the next Alastair Cook? I know personally in Australia there's been references to a cross between two other Matthew's in Elliott & Hayden. I think the Cook one was an interesting take. But having seen his innings I think he's a bit more 360, which I don't think you can truly say about Cook.
Rob JM
Guest
The worst thing is they are compensating by allowing warner to grow his horrible mo!
qwetzen
Guest
Actually, that's one of the reasons why I can't get enthusiastic about this side. Their near-total absence of facial hair. You say Renshaw is unfamiliar with the morning boringness of shaving, I'd add Smith, Hazlewood and probably a couple of others. While there's already dozens of 'consultants' snouting down in the CA trough, it's outrageous that we don't have a Facial Hair specialist. How can our players deliver a decent sneer or sledge without some intimidating bristle? No wonder we lost five in a row. Mitchell Starc can only do so much you know. And there's a standout candidate available (if his appeal is successful) who'd leap at the chance to get back in the Oz shed; Warwick Todd.
qwetzen
Guest
And Stuey Law at #3...
Linphoma
Guest
Is the kid shaving yet? Love the way he went through the gears in the final session day 1, started well again and did not go stupid the following morning but was trying to accelerate again when he got out. Bet he's also tucked the funky dabs away as a lesson learnt. Perhaps he was seeing Handscomb do it at the other end?
Rob
Guest
Who Renshaw or Warner? LOL. 0-270 at tea or 1-150 at lunch.
New guy
Guest
Imagine how good he would be with Hayden at the other end?
Rob
Guest
I would suggest Renshaw is the perfect foil for Warner. Warner is usually at his best with a SR 80-100 and his partner is no greater than 40%. He has scored 18 test centuries with over half coming when his partner is batting balls while Warner is striking boundaries. This rubbish about his partner causing him problems by not turning over the strike is wrong. It’s actually helping him IMO. 1st with Hughes 20 of 69 balls. SR. 29. 4th with Rogers 16 of 81 balls. SR. 20 5th with Rogers 54 from 135 ball. SR. 40 6th with Doolan 89 from154 balls SR. 57 8th with Rogers/Doolan 45 from107balls SR. 42 9th with Roger/Doolan 43 from 164 balls SR. 26 10th with Rogers/Watson 23 from 55 balls SR. 41 11th with Rogers/Watson 54 from 131 balls SR. 41 17th with Renshaw/Khawaga 107 from 205 balls SR. 52 18th with Renshaw 25 from 84 balls SR. 29 Warner loves a flat Australian deck also.
qwetzen
Guest
"What’s crazy is that Renshaw is a 360 deg batsmen" As confirmed by; http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia-v-pakistan-2016-17/engine/match/1000885.html I hope someone points this out to MA Taylor who, as is his habit, picks picks picks at some players' techniques. In this case Taylor keeps telling everyone that Renshaw is "very much a leg-side player."
James Jackson
Guest
When I saw Hameed in action in India, I was pining for Renshaw to come into the frame, and now it seems both England and Australia have found some good opening prospects for in excess of a decade.
Rob JM
Guest
What's crazy is that Renshaw is a 360 deg batsmen, and yet he can play the perfect defensive game. he even pulled out a reverse sweep once he had scored his hundred and had about as even a wagon wheel as I have ever seen by the end of his innings. He Just has to remember that the bowlers he faces in test cricket are much better, so more patience is required before playing his strokes.
tyrone
Guest
I think his slow starts actually helps Warner, it allows Warner to slow his heart rate and not go too stupid, he can control his aggression. I hope the selectors tell Renshaw hat he wont play 50 over or T20 for at least 5 years. This way there is no temptation to adjust method and mindset, we will keep a key piece of our future lineup. Glad to see someone score along the ground. Most watchers these day do not understand that you can score quickly by not hitting the ball in the air. I am hooping that Renshaw will become a new David Gower who can bat sensibly but when faster runs are required uses skill to hit gaps and lots of fours.