Axed Test opener Matt Renshaw says having a song constantly pumping in his head has been the key to his spectacular resurrection from a prolonged form slump.
Dumped from the Australian side for West Australian Cameron Bancroft ahead of the recently-completed Ashes series win, Renshaw subsequently endured a long run of outs at Sheffield Shield level.
But back-to-back first-innings tons (170 against Victoria last week, 112 against South Australia on Sunday) boosted the tall Queenslander’s season average from a dismal 21.64 to a serviceable 37.14 in the space of a fortnight.
Renshaw will be doing his best to maintain the mental rhythm moving forward.
“One thing I’ve been doing is having a song stuck in my head,” he said.
“I didn’t really do that in the first half of the season.
“I try to listen to music and relax while I’m out there and not think too much about batting.”
Renshaw’s song of choice during his cracking ton against South Australia at Adelaide Oval?
Redbone, by American rapper and singer Childish Gambino.
“It’s something I used to do but I forgot about in the first half of the season,” he said.
“I’ve tried to bring it back.
“If I start thinking too much about my batting, I just bring that song back in my head.
“The bowlers are tough but the toughest part of cricket is in your own head.”
A self-confessed cricket tragic, Renshaw will be tuning in to watch Australia’s upcoming four-Test series against South Africa but hasn’t considered the possibility of being next in line for a call-up should a top-order opportunity present.
“I’m quite a cricket nuff so obviously I’ll be watching,” he said.
“It’s tough to tour overseas but hopefully they can win over there.
“I haven’t thought about that (international recall), my focus is on playing well for Queensland.
“We’re a young group who have never won a Shield, that’s what I’m focused on.
“We’re really close to doing something pretty special here.”
Perry Bridge
Guest
Good to see him rebound - liking the Dukes? Annoyed I was driving home yesterday when Finch was going crazy - that would've been a good one to stream via the website. Tremain having a ripper game. How bad a leave was that by Agar - to a right arm around the wicket - sheesh!!
deccas
Guest
This is an excellent old man comment.
AREH
Roar Guru
Kid definitely has the game for test cricket, and probably will be back in there soon enough. Seems level-headed and honest with himself too; plenty to like. Already 10 tests and he's still what, 21? Plenty of test cricket lies ahead
Rellum
Roar Guru
QLD dominating right now, SA 6-86
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Childish Gambino?! Awww no, come on Matt, listen to some decent hip hop like some Dilla or Logic or Horrorshow. Then you'll start making triples.
jameswm
Guest
I like the cut of his jib. Honest, humble. Told us about his dad teaching him how to leave. Now telling us he needs to relax better. Hope he scores well and comes back. I think he has a good mindset for test cricket.
Matt H
Roar Guru
Great to see, and scoring very quickly as well. For both innings he looked like he was playing on a different pitch to the others.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
You beauty Renners!
Rob
Guest
And here everyone was talking about his technique having flaws with bowlers coming round the wicket. Cricket is a lot simpler when you just play the ball and do what works for you. If Renshaw had technical issues he wouldn't have scored the runs he did against SA, PAKISTAN and India.