Renshaw will not be denied his final say

ROBERT CRADDOCK QUEENSLAND batsman Matt Renshaw is expected to be cleared to play in next week’s Sheffield Shield final against Tasmania despite suffering a bout of concussion.

Renshaw was subbed out of the Shield game against NSW in Wollongong after a head knock in a collision with a teammate during warm-ups.

Renshaw was replaced by rookie batsman Lachlan Pfeffer who flew down from Brisbane.He will be assessed at Queensland training early next week but team officials are confident he will play in Friday’s final at Allan Border Field.

With three recent Shield centuries he will be one of Queensland’s key performers in the final.

“Matt will be reassessed in Brisbane to consider recovery and possible fitness to play in the Shield final,” a Queensland Cricket spokesman said.

Cricket Australia has included concussion substitutes into the Shield this year on a two-year trial basis. Renshaw has suffered concussion before and in different forms.

Queensland have surged to a strong position against NSW courtesy of a fine 134 by Marnus Labuschagne and an unconquered 95 by Charlie Hemphrey and will resume on 3-315, a lead of 156, in the second innings. The young Bulls side, with an average age in the low 20s, is determined to finish off a season of admirable progress by winning the final.

Tasmania earnt the right to play Queensland after defeating Victoria.