Rookie Renshaw fast forging reputation

Matthew Renshaw lists Alastair Cook as a batsman he'd like to emulate but on another sunny afternoon in Brisbane, the Australia A opener showcased some strokes the England captain would love to have in his repertoire.

Renshaw, just 20 but with a full season of Sheffield Shield behind him, rocketed into this secondary national side in quicker time than probably even he'd have thought possible, but on day three of this 'A' series contest at Allan Border Field, it was he who calmly dictated the pulse of proceedings.

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His outstanding 94 supplied his team with the perfect foundation as they set about building a lead of 360 that will likely allow for a morning declaration, and it was the execution – a combination of patience and power – that left onlookers suitably impressed.

In a Sliding Doors moment, Renshaw could easily be representing the England Lions, the country in which he spent the first seven years of his life.

But England's loss is evidently Australia's gain.

Like Cook, Renshaw is a tall left-hander who possesses patience in abundance.

And it's that final trait that left the young Bulls batsman furious with the manner in which he threw his wicket away in the first innings.

Having fought hard against a swinging pink ball to reach 25, he took the bait from spinner Dane Piedt and lashed out at a flighted delivery, managing only to spoon a catch to short third man.

Renshaw admonished himself upon his exit and promised to make amends second time around.

"I was just happy I didn't throw it away like I did in the first innings," Renshaw told cricket.com.au after play today.

"(In the first innings) I got a good start and tried to go too hard too early. I was a bit more patient this innings and it paid off.

"I knew I was going to get another chance but it was hard in that first over – all the South Africans were chirping in my ear, saying 'when's he going to go?' and I was just waiting and waiting.

"We knew we just had to bat normally for that first hour or so. Once we got into tea they told us to keep doing what we were doing and try to get as many as possible.

"I thought we went about it quite well – we waited until they got into their second and third spells."  

A cautious start from the Queenslander – who, like all good opening batsmen, respects the new ball – made way in the afternoon session for a demonstration of his shot-making ability.

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As Australia A's lead grew and the timing of a possible declaration became a consideration, Renshaw happily upped the ante.

Piedt was lofted stylishly over cover for six, and a few overs later, medium-pacer Stiaan van Zyl went the journey, this time pulled onto the roof of Queensland Cricket HQ.

Just like that, Renshaw had transitioned seamlessly from accumulator to aggressor, and this from a young man who is yet to play any elite level limited-overs cricket.

That said, the left-hander will play with the National Performance Squad in the 50-over Quadrangular Series later this month, and it's likely he is already on Queensland coach Phil Jaques' radar ahead of this year's Matador BBQs One-Day Cup.

"I've been working a fair bit in the National Performance Squad on my one-day game and I got to have a little bit of fun out there today and show that I can hit the ball off the square," he said with a grin.

"It was a good year last year, but coming into this I was a bit nervous about how I would go against the South Africans.

"But it's been a good experience for me … we played quite well today and worked on leaving the ball well, and I think we did that."

And while the choice of Cook as a batsman to look up to might surprise in the T20 generation, Renshaw has his reasons. 

"Growing up I wasn't the biggest bloke so I couldn't really whack them like (David) Warner does," he said.

"Watching (Cook) bat for 200 balls and scoring not many runs was a bit like watching me.

"His shots mightn't have been as good (as Warner and co) but the way he grinds and his mental approach is quite good to look up to."

Regardless of who has inspired him along the way, Renshaw is quickly forging his own reputation.