Matt Renshaw has posted what could be the most crucial century of his career as he makes his case to replace retiring opener David Warner in the Australian Test side.
Batting for the Prime Minister’s XI, the 27-year-old outperformed other contenders for the soon-to-be vacant Test opener’s job with an unbeaten 136.
His side reached 4-367 in their first innings at stumps on days three at Manuka Oval, still 34 runs behind the tourists with the final day’s play almost certain to bring a draw.
But Renshaw has sealed honours in the so-called “bat-off” in this match among the leading Warner replacements, with openers Cameron Bancroft (53) and Marcus Harris (49) and allrounder Cameron Green (46) not making the most of their starts.
He denied there was extra motivation for his classy knock, instead crediting his much-improved mindsight.
Matthew Renshaw celebrates after scoring a century at Manuka Oval. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
“It’s just another game of cricket, all the other stuff takes care of itself,” Renshaw told reporters.
“Only a couple of years ago, I took a break from the game because of how much I was taking it seriously, that was a really big learning curve for me just to go ‘why am I playing this game’?
“It’s not to play for Australia, obviously I want to and that’s the goal but at the end of the day, I’m going to try and enjoy myself.”
The 14-Test left hander adds Friday’s century to 348 Sheffield Shield runs this season at an average of 32, and Warner has previously endorsed him as the leading contender for his job.
Outside of a 10-minute period where he hoisted Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for two fours and a huge six, Renshaw played a particularly defensive innings at No.3 that featured 335 balls.
“It was taking a lot out of me to keep grinding down,” he said. “There were some times where I felt like I couldn’t get the ball off the square.
“My game has been transitioning really well this season (from) a couple of little conversations with batting coaches and myself just to work out what I’m trying to do.”
Green played some nice shots early, but reached at a wide Faheem Ashraft delivery and was caught behind just as a big score beckoned.
Bancroft arguably entered the “bat-off” in pole position as the Shield’s top run-scorer this season, while Harris has regularly travelled with the Australian side as the spare batsmen.
Punters at Manuka Oval perhaps were given a preview of a future Australian leader, with 24-year-old Nathan McSweeney playing some exquisite square drives on the way to his 40.
A brilliant diving catch from Mir Hamza denied him the chance for a statement score.
McSweeney, who is captaining the PM’s XI, has been earmarked as a future national team leader after skippering Australia A earlier this year.
Pakistan had rested first-choice pace bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim, and spinner Ahmed exited the tour match on Friday nursing what appeared to be an injured calf muscle.
If they want a specialist spinner in Perth, they may need to pick 37-year-old Noman Ali who also sat out the tour match.
with AAP
Opeo
Roar Rookie
Lmafo. Get a guy that would struggle to get a place in some Shield teams into the test team.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
don finally a good wa cricketer performance at home in perth
Frodo
Roar Rookie
Bwahahaha. You just have no idea, Donsy.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Donny still angry about how many bad calls he's made lately. Just enjoy the eastern states carrying your boys whilst Aus are both one day and test champs
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Let this go? You're the one returning to the topic 3 days after discussion has ceased. Catch up.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I love the visual joke of the plane flying uncontrollably and then suddenly purrs to a stop.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
That film has so many quotes :laughing: :laughing:
Andrew
Roar Rookie
"Which one is that?" I believe was the reply.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Donny let this go , your disgruntled that renshaw made 100 more than Bancroft . try to let go of state bias
Pierro
Roar Rookie
On home soil against Pakistan and windies there no excuse for openers , they must perform its not like they are playing in India or England where pitches and conditions are very difficult and hostile
Ace
Roar Rookie
I'm resigned to the fact that he will carry the drinks in Perth Frodo because another thought is that the selectors probably don't want to change the team as Australia has to redeem ranking points they lost in the Ashes series So they will stick to a winning formula Just a wild thought I had :silly:
Ace
Roar Rookie
As is most common sense decisions NQR
NQR
Roar Rookie
This right/left combination selection stuff is a furphy in the selection room IMO.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
"l like the one which is not so smart" The 3 Amigos when the eligible women were discussing the Amigos down by the river
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Are you aware that I'm talking about Wes? You really have no idea about cricket, do you?
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Still not much point putting up a comparison in averages where one is a shield average, versus the other an international average. Pointless really.
Frodo
Roar Rookie
So Agar's first class bowling average of 42 works for you, Donny?
Shire
Roar Rookie
I certainly think that the previous efforts of all three have been held against them, but it's ridiculous to think that anything could be made of Renshaw or Bancroft's previous forays into international cricket. Renshaw was originally dropped from the side as a 21 year old, which should be the end of that discussion, and he was set up to fail earlier this year, being forced to play in the middle order on Indian pitches that were spinning square from the first ball. Bancroft hasn't played Test cricket for four years and has fixed technical issues that were limiting his performance at international level. Harris has the most recent proper crack and things, and while he was unlucky to get dropped after top-scoring at Melbourne, he seemed to be the same old Marcus Harris that everyone was accustomed to - just an alright batsman and a passenger in the field. It was only fair that Head and Khawaja both squeezed him out of the side, as both have gone on to have fantastic runs of form.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yeah agree to disagree – I think he’s looked the least comfortable at test level, but everyone sees things differently. I’d go for one of the other two – probably Bancroft on form, but could handle Renshaw too.
Frodo
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. The issue at hand is we need an opener to replace Warner when he goes. I'm saying you pick the incumbent apprentice. i.e. Harris. I.m.o. he has looked the most comfortable of the three at test level. You beg to differ well so be it.