Renshaw’s composure helps inspire whole order
STEVE Smith has declared Matt Renshaw the catalyst behind Australia’s charge towards history in Dharamsala today.
Australia believes that success in the fourth Test decider could launch Smith’s young team as a long- term powerhouse.
Retaining the Border Gavaskar trophy against all the odds has the potential to mirror Allan Border’s 1989 Ashes and Mark Taylor’s iconic tour of the West Indies in 1995 as a landmark springboard to greatness.
Both of those famous victories her- alded the start of extraordinary eras for Australian cricket, and like this one, both came when nobody expected it.
Australia is on the brink of securing one of its great overseas triumphs and it’s a 20- year- old rookie who had never set foot in India before who has laid the foundations.
Smith says the performance of opener Renshaw has been inspirational.
“I’ve been really impressed with Renshaw. For a guy who’s never been here before it’s almost a different game when you get out to the middle,” said Smith.
“You see guys around the bat and a crusty wicket and that can get to players, even players who have played for a long period of time.
“For a guy that’s only played a handful of Tests, to go out there and just play his game and back what he’s worked on over the last few weeks has been amazing.
“I think a lot of the guys, the more senior players, have taken a bit out of the way he’s done things having only been a youngster and not having been here before.”
Winning in India is something neither Ricky Ponting or Michael Clarke managed to do, and for the past dec- ade Australia’s record in big series overseas has been inconsistent.
It was only seven Test matches ago that Australia was in complete disarray with six players dumped and a passionate Smith left pleading for his new- look team to restore pride in the baggy green.
Branded the worst side to ever tour India, Australia is on the verge of a series victory in the deciding Test that may be the cornerstone of a new age.
“Regardless of what happens in this last Test match I think the way we’ve played has been a credit to each and every individual here,” Smith said.