Renshaw all heart in Test
MATT Renshaw overcame illness and a Pune minefield to stand tall as the future custodian of Australian Test match batting, but the tourist’s subcontinental fate is once again to rest in the hands of the bowlers.
There was fight and promise shown by Australia on day one of the first Test – a far cry from the collapses that have destroyed hopes on recent trips to Asia – with Renshaw continuing his bustling start to international cricket barely a week after setting foot in India for the first time.
At stumps Australia was still swinging at 9-256, with Mitchell Starc’s scintillating unbeaten half-century giving the visitors the moraleboosting victory of having batted through a full day in treacherous conditions, even if more runs might be needed.
Renshaw dug as deep as any rookie has in India to produce an inspiring 68 that was punctuated by a long-stint in the dressing room toilet battling illness.
After being pumped with Imodium, he soldiered his way back after the fourth wicket.
At 20, he is the youngest Australian to score a halfcentury in India and it’s increasingly clear selectors have unearthed a player not as stylish as some, but with a lion’s heart and the temperament of a seasoned veteran.
When Renshaw’s stay finally came to an end it was Starc’s turn to take the reins and add further weight to the argument he might be the best allrounder in Australian cricket, smashing a superb unbeaten 57 off just 58 balls with five fours and three sixes.
It seemed as though Australia would struggle to bat out the day, especially when captain Steve Smith departed in meek circumstances midway through the middle session.
But by stumps, Starc and Josh Hazlewood had refused to budge.
In the end Australia’s top order were unable to give Renshaw the support that was so badly needed.
On a disintegrating pitch that resembled an “eighth-day” wicket right from the opening ball, the onus now falls firmly on spinners Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe.
O’Keefe flagged in the leadup to the Test that this series was a defining moment in his career, and he and Lyon now have a chance to deliver.
Most encouraging for Australia was the fact four of India’s wickets went to paceman Umesh Yadav – giving hope that fast bowlers Starc and Hazlewood can be a major threat on this crumbling pitch.
Incredibly, Renshaw wasn’t assured of his place in the first Test team until two days before it started, yet he immediately showed the fight that has deserted Australia on recent trips to the sub-continent.
The only aspect of India Renshaw failed to adapt to was the cuisine, as he was dramatically forced to abandon his innings on 36 as illness struck.
When opening partner David Warner fell for 38, the unthinkable happened.
Clutching his stomach, Renshaw chased Warner into the sheds, and Australia went from being 0-82 to having two new batsmen in the crease, Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh.