Renshaw’s hungry
MATTHEW Renshaw is itching for a big score to kickstart his summer, the Australian Test opener saying it is hard to keep the home Ashes series out of his mind.
The left-hander will return to Queensland’s one-day side today at Allan Border Field intent on cashing in if he makes a start in what is expected to be batsman-friendly conditions.
Renshaw, 21, has scored between 44 and 68 in four of his past 12 Test innings in India and Bangladesh, while a recent half century in club cricket only added to his frustration.
Three centuries were scored in the opening one-day cup match in Brisbane on Wednesday, despite the overcast conditions and green wicket.
He showed his desire to bat long with a stoic 184 against Pakistan in Sydney earlier this year.
The Queenslander is excited to return to Australian conditions.
“You talk about the Ashes and how exciting it is, but I’ve got to get there first,” he said.
“I think I might bat 12 or so times before that first Test, so it’s nice to be back and I’m really looking forward to trying to get a hundred early on.”
English-born Renshaw says it is impossible to not be distracted by the summer ahead.
“Being born there, mum and dad are talking about family coming over and all that,” he said.
“But for now you’ve got to try to keep that in the back of your mind.”
Queensland plays the Cricket Australia XI, while Western Australia hosts NSW at the WACA in today’s one-day cup games.