A ROCK-SOLID RENSHAW MAY HOLD ASHES KEY
TEST great Adam Gilchrist believes Matt Renshaw could be the sleeping giant of the Ashes.
Gilchrist said the Queenslander’s renowned patience could be the pivotal weapon in a contest between two even teams.
“We are expecting big things from (skipper Steve) Smith and (David) Warner but Renshaw is the sleeping giant,’’ Gilchrist said at the Gabba yesterday as he helped launch XXXX as the official beer of the Australian cricket team.
“He can play a really critical role this summer.
“If he can bat time and occupy the crease like he has shown strong glimpses of this summer that will allow the batting order to bat around him.’’
The Ashes series has extra lustre for Renshaw because his family hails from England and are long time friends of the family of English captain Joe Root.
Gilchrist says he has no preferred choice for the hotly disputed Australian Test keeping position but will have no complaints if Matthew Wade is retained.
“As a player you hoped for consistency of message from selectors and I just feel since Wadey came back in he had six Tests in a row in the most trying conditions in the subcontinent,” said Gilchrist, who last played Test cricket almost 10 years ago.
“He did not punch out the big scores – but a lot of the batsmen didn’t either – and I think he kept pretty well.
Since Gilchrist hammered 17 Test tons and accrued a stunning batting average of 47.6, Australia have never felt comfortable choosing a keeper who struggles with the bat.