Matthew Renshaw: From nobody to being the toast of Australia, his MIRACULOUS tale

India v Australia, ind vs Aus: Australia lost 5 consecutive Tests and realised they need stability at the top of the order, that is when Matthew Renshaw was brought on-board

By: Ankit Banerjee |
March 22, 2017 9:12 am

Tags: India v Australia 2017,

Very few may have not known this Englishman before, lets be precise, Yorkshire! Matthhew Renshaw has been the story of this Border-Gavaskar series apart from the sour controversies like the DRS gate, brain fade and then the animated faces. The 20-year old has gone from strength to strength and is now the toast of the visiting team. But, Renshaw was actually about to miss out on this series, but because Australia lost 5 consecutive Tests and realised they need stability at the top of the order, that is when Matthew Renshaw was brought on-board.

He had just played 12 first class games till then and hence Steven Smith and some of the others in the Australian team did not know him. But all that is history he is now making waves in India and taking giant strides in cricket.

So what has helped him flourish?

Well, he has a great technique and a solid defense. He is also someone who is ready to be patient and not rush, like a David Warner. In his debut, he actually won the match for Australia against South Africa at Adelaide. The beefy Queenslander is also using his height to his advantage. Despite his hundred at SCG against the great Protean attack, coach Darren Lehmann said it was no guarantee he will open alongside David Warner, must have dented his confidence.

Finally the tables turned for the good, Lehamann and selector Trevor Hohns came on the same page and went for the more steady Renshaw over the fluent Usman Khwaja. Masterstroke, as they say! In fact, no Australian has scored more runs at the age of 21 than the southpaw.

Renshaw validates selectors’ faith https://t.co/Gw6tsDr9Sf pic.twitter.com/QdV5p2gsEa

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 22, 2017

Even Warner credited him…

David Warner, his partner-in-crime at the top of the order said, “Credit to him to come out here and play the way he has done so far in this series, it’s a testament to him and obviously (the same applied for) the way he started in Australia as well.”

The Queenslander has amassed 223 runs in 567 balls in the ongoing series, compared to Warner’s 131 runs and 217 balls. So, the battle of the Australian openers has been won by Matthew Renshaw.