Queensland have been forced to withdraw Matthew Renshaw from their match against NSW in Wollongong due to a head knock, putting the in-form opener in doubt for next week’s Sheffield Shield final.
Renshaw was withdrawn from the match on Friday under Cricket Australia’s concussion policy after suffering a head knock during a collision with a teammate in the warm-up on Thursday, and has been replaced by Lachy Pfeffer.
Renshaw will be reassessed in Brisbane to consider his recovery and possible fitness to play in the Shield final.
Renshaw, who has scored centuries in each of his past three Shield matches, missed a Test match against Pakistan last year after suffering two blows to the head.
Renshaw’s injury comes just a fortnight after Victorian batsman Will Pucovski was forced out of the Shield match against NSW when he was struck on the helmet while batting.
There was better news on the field for Queensland on day three, with the free-scoring NSW tail mopped within a few overs.
NSW added just 20 to their overnight 7-382 to be all out for 402, leaving the Blues with a 159-run lead on the first innings.
In reply, Queensland are 2-76 for lunch.
Joe Burns, who top scored in the first innings for Queensland, was out 24, while Pfeffer made 9.
NSW seamer Sean Abbott missed the chance for a maiden first-class ton, after failing to add to his overnight 79.
Peter Nevill soon followed for 57, following a 132-run stand with Abbott for the eighth wicket.
Queensland will host the Shield final next Friday against the winner of the match between Tasmania and Victoria.
AREH
Roar Guru
Will put this here as not sure where else to, but Cricket Australia's Sheffield Shield team of the year highlights a lot. QLD finishing with 4 of the 11 players - Burns, Renshaw, Labuschagne and Neser - no coincidence they were the dominant side and have landed a home final. It also reflects the outstanding performance of a number of quick bowlers when Trent Copeland - with almost 40 wickets - can't be squeezed into the pace bowling quartet. The thing is that all of Bird, Rogers, Neser and Tremain were well deserving of a place. Copeland should be considered a smoky for the Ashes 2019 squad for mine, playing a similar holding role to what Bird would offer, or Sayers should he go. He continues to be a most consistent medium pacer and has had a superb season, troubling batsmen when conditions suit him best, and these are typical of cricket in the UK. He might be a little older now, but I've no doubt he would acquit himself well if given the chance. He wouldn't break into the current bowling attack, but he'd be ideal backup. Australia missed a trick not playing Peter Siddle until the end of the 2015 series, and he showed them what they were missing immediately. For some time I have felt that despite being unable to win in the UK, Australia has had the types of players available to perform in those conditions, they just haven't picked them.