Renshaw form a ‘worry’

MICHAEL Slater has lost faith in Test opener Matt Renshaw, believing Cameron Bancroft’s “irresistible” Sheffield Shield form warrants an Ashes berth.

The knives are out for Queensland left-handed batsman Renshaw after his latest failure, registering scores of 16 and one in the Sheffield Shield clash against NSW.

It leaves the 21-year-old with an average of 11.66 from three Shield matches this season ahead of the first Test against England in Brisbane starting on November 23.

Former Australian Test opener Slater had Renshaw at the top of his preferred XI as recently as Sunday with some reservations, but has been swayed by the continuation of his horror run this week.

Slater said the form of West Australian Bancroft — whose most recent scores are 228 not out, 86 and 76 not out in Shield — could not be ignored.

“I’m worried about his (Renshaw’s) form. He’s had six digs and made 70 runs,” Slater told Sky Sports Radio.

“If that’s not struggling, then I don’t know what is.

“Yesterday I’d have stuck with him with Warner.

“But I think it’s irresistible, this Bancroft innings.

“I’m going Warner, Bancroft, (all-rounder Marcus) Stoinis at six, and I think (wicketkeeper) Pete Nevill will get a guernsey again.”

It is believed selectors will show faith in Renshaw for the Ashes opener when the team is announced tomorrow, with Bancroft touted a chance to make his Test debut at No. 6 at the Gabba.