Matt Renshaw has again failed for Queensland but another former Test opener is fighting hard at tea on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia.
All eyes were on Renshaw when he came out to bat for Queensland as they began their innings replying to WA’s 414 at the WACA Ground on Saturday.
He hit four boundaries on his way to 18 before Warriors left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff dismissed him having already had him dropped once at slip.
Joe Burns fought hard for the Bulls to be 74 not out at the interval. Jack Wildermuth (32) was with him, with Queensland 3-178 and still 236 behind.
WA started the morning session at 7-355 thanks to an opening day century by Mitch Marsh (141).
Will Bosisto (60), D’Arcy Short (59) and Josh Inglis (53) all making half centuries for the Warriors.
Wildermuth (3-69), Brendan Doggett (3-89) and Luke Feldman (3-104) combined for nine WA wickets.
The focus turned to Renshaw with the 21-year-old batting for the first time since losing his place in the Australian Test side.
But after a lively start, Behrendorff squared him up and he fell to a good catch at gully by Bosisto.
Charlie Hemphrey (21) and Sam Truloff (24) provided Burns with good support either side of lunch.
Allrounder Wildermuth then hit eight boundaries for 32 up to tea in an unbroken 46-run stand with the 13-Test veteran.
Doctor Rotcod
Guest
Renshaw has again failed, while Wildermuth, Labuschagne and Hemphrey all made runs after a sporting declaration by Mitch Marsh Qld and WA both scored at 4 r.p.o in their first digs,WA at 3 r.p.o. in their second innings but Qld was going at 5 r.p.o,in their second right up to the last over when,interestingly Marsh bowled 9 overs for 2 wickets. Kelly is some sort of find too, another fivefor
Red Kev
Roar Guru
I don't think Ussie's spot is in any jeopardy, this is the first test on Australian soil he hasn't scored a half-century in since Sydney in January 2015 (when he recorded DNB and DNB) and before that Hobart in December 2011.
Mitcher
Guest
Thoroughly agree with what you’ve said. Finch cannot possibly be considered a viable Test option. Bundling Maxwell into that group seems way off the mark though. Given his first class record (admittedly truncated by limited overs duties) and also recent performance in India. For mine, definitely deserves a chance to prove himself at home and pad out his avg like so many others on something other than pitches that so many other more ‘trusted’ regulars have failed consistently before him.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
His footwork, particularly at the beginning of his innings is terrible. Imagine him coming in to spin bowlers in the fourth innings of a test match? A lot of work to do.... but seems to be on the improve.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
He doesn't open in first class cricket and does not have a good average anyway?
Mike Dugg
Guest
That's not true at all. Finch has averaged around 50 over the last few seasons in first class. That includes county cricket. His average is around 37 now. He seems to do well in the middle order in that form of the game. Worth consideration if Handscomb and Ussie continue to struggle
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Because its only in the last 12 months or so that he has averaged above 30 in the four day format. His good first class performances have been so rare prior to this improved period that nobody could even think of him as a possible test player. He would have made Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell look like a sensible, conservative selection choices. in fact it has been in the middle order Finch now is trying to find himself in the four day game. He averaged 52 last shield season and 33 the season prior to that. I think, like Maxwell, Finch plays so much short format for Australia, that he has minimal chances to really work on improving his batting in the longer game. So far this season, he hasn't done anything to warrant consideration. In my opinion, Finch has a couple of significant flaws in how he plays a couple of shots that are found out when the pitches offer a little assistance to bowlers. On flat one day and 20/20 pitches his timing and eye are enough to get very good results. Also, does anyone really think that Warner and Finch would be a good test opening combo? Not this little black duck!
Marc
Guest
I've always wondered why Aaron Finch is not the other Test opener. Tons of exeprience.