Matt relies on hard work and bit of dad’s help
QUEENSLAND opener Matt Renshaw has taken on some fatherly advice ahead of his last chance to impress Test selectors.
Renshaw will confront NSW’s all-star attack in Canberra from today in the last Sheffield Shield round before the Test squad for this summer’s series against India is selected.
This time last year, Renshaw was mired in a form slump which cost him his Test spot and a maiden Ashes series on home soil.
Now the towering 22-yearold is fighting to push his way back into the baggy green under new coach Justin Langer in the post ball-tampering era.
Renshaw’s last Shield match saw him rack up a fighting 89 against Western Australia and he has been gifted the ultimate audition against Blues Test quicks Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
While the odds of a Test recall are marginally in Renshaw’s favour, he needs runs to guarantee an appearance against India at the Adelaide Oval on December 6.
Renshaw has left no stone unturned in his quest to fight his way back into the Test arena
“It (Test selection) is out of my control. I’ve just got to try to score as many runs as I can and win some games,” Renshaw said. “I don’t think you can really control what’s going on selection-wise. If you can do your best in every game and help your team win, if you’re in winning form you can continue that throughout.
“I’ve done a few sessions with my dad and talking to him about certain things. I’ve been trying out different things and working out what works.”
Renshaw has had a turbulent time in the Test arena.
He debuted against South Africa in 2016 as part of a major shake-up of the Test team and scored 184 in his fourth match against Pakistan.
He performed well in India in early 2017, but was dropped for last summer’s Ashes following a dreadful start to the Shield season.