Renshaw stars after answering U19 call

Matthew Renshaw seized an unexpected chance with Australia’s Under-19s to steer them to a crushing victory in the first match of their one-day series – then revealed that he had been born in nearby Middlesbrough, and was a childhood acquaintance of English cricket’s poster boy Joe Root.

Renshaw, a 19-year-old left-hander who plays for Toombul in Queensland, had not been selected in Australia’s touring party because he does not qualify for next year’s U19 World Cup in Bangladesh.

But he was in the north of England anyway visiting family, so when South Australia’s Patrick Page suffered a toe injury, the management decided to call him up rather than send home for a replacement.

Australia then suffered further injury problems in the build-up to the one-day series, with Liam Hatcher feeling a side strain and Sam Grimwade needing 10 stitches in his face after being struck by a fierce drive when he was bowling in the nets.

So Renshaw went straight into the team to open with Caleb Jewell, and made an unbeaten 69 from 108 balls as Australia cruised past England’s below-par total of 206 with eight wickets and almost 10 overs to spare.

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Australia's U19 squad watch on // ECB

“It’s a weird thing, probably one of the weirdest moments of my career,” Renshaw reflected afterwards. “I was over here for family reasons, so when one of the boys broke his toe so they called me up and asked if I could play – I thought I may as well when I’m over here.

“I was seven when I left England. From there we went to New Zealand for four years, and then went to Australia from there.”

Middlesbrough, his birthplace, is a steeltown only a few junctions down the A1, but Renshaw has clearer memories of Sheffield – Root’s hometown.

“I was only in Middlesbrough for about four or five years then we went to Sheffield so I can only remember a few things about Middlesbrough, more about Sheffield,” he explained. “My Dad played with Matt, Joe Root’s dad. We knew them a bit at the cricket club.”

Arjun Nair and Tom Healy were the other stars of Australia’s win. Nair, a 17-year-old offspinner from Canberra, tied the English in knots to take four for 33, earning the man of the match award.

He was helped by one sharp stumping by Healy, whose father Ian was down in Canterbury watching his niece Alyssa – Tom’s cousin – in the first Women’s Test.

Healy had already pulled off a spectacular stumping to dismiss England’s No.3 Dan Lawrence, who was looking dangerous with 22 from 17 balls until he was lured down the pitch by Fletcher Seymour.

“That was a great bit of work,” said Australia’s coach Graeme Hick. “I’m pleased for him because he had a tough time in the four-day game and it’s difficult as a team member when that’s happened.

"Arjun has got a bit of mystery about him. He bats a bit as well, he’s a nice little all-rounder.”

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Arjun Nair collects his man-of-the-match award from England U19 coach Andy Hurry // ECB

Jewell followed his century in the second innings of the drawn four-day match at the Emirates ICG last week with 69 from 88 balls in an opening stand of 107 with Renshaw. Then, after the Hampshire off-spinner Brad Taylor had dismissed Jewell and Jordan Gauci with consecutive balls, Doran joined Renshaw to add exactly 100 for the third wicket in less than 14 overs.

Each of the left-handers hit three sixes on the small club ground, with Doran continuing his outstanding form against England with an unbeaten 56 from 48 balls.

The series continues in Chesterfield on Friday.