Renshaw returns to field after knee x-ray

Matthew Renshaw's rough return to India worsened after being sent for x-rays on his knee, but his return to the field later in the afternoon assuaged fears his involvement in the first Test in Nagpur could be jeopardised.

After being trapped lbw Ravindra Jadeja for a golden duck on the opening day of Australia's four-Test tour, Renshaw hurt his knee in the warm-up before play on day two.

The 26-year-old left the VCA Stadium on Friday morning to undergo scans, with Ashton Agar taking his place on the field as India batted in their first innings.

The results of the scans remain unknown but his return to the field a few hours later in the second session were a strong sign there is no major damage.

“Matthew Renshaw has returned to the field having passed a fitness test,” said a team spokesperson. “He is reporting no major concerns. Renshaw will continue to be monitored by team medical staff.”

Australia are already missing first-choice allrounder Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc with finger injuries, while Josh Hazlewood is also unavailable with an Achilles complaint.

Brought back into fold for the Sydney Test last month, Renshaw held his spot for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series opener Green out and Travis Head axed, while Peter Handscomb was also recalled to bat in the middle-order.

With Australia battling to fight their way back into the Test, having a full complement of batters could be crucial when they bat in the second innings.

It is the second straight mid-Test mishap for Renshaw, who caught COVID-19 on his recall at the SCG last month and was forced to isolate using a separate changeroom to teammates.

The batter also famously had his first Test abroad derailed in 2017 on Australia's last tour to India when a stomach bug left him no choice but to retire hurt and take a bathroom break while batting in Pune.

On this trip, Australia are hopeful Green and Starc will both be available for the second Test in Delhi.

Green has been gradually ramping up his training in recent weeks, while Starc has stayed back in Sydney to continue his rehab and will link up with the squad in the Indian capital next week.

Hazlewood's prospects of featuring there are more uncertain and the paceman may be a greater chance for the final two matches in Dharamsala and Ahmedabad.

Renshaw says he has grown up since his first stint with the Australian side, both on and off the field, when he was given the nickname 'Turtle' due to his shyness around senior players.

"I've matured a lot in the last six years," Renshaw told cricket.com.au not long after his recall. "I feel like I can have adult conversations with a few of the guys – I didn't feel like I could talk to any of them back in the day. At times I can still be the Turtle. But it's more just being myself."

A move down to the middle-order for Queensland also improved his versatility, having previously only ever been an opener. 

Border-Gavaskar Qantas Tour of India 2023

February 9-13: First Test, Nagpur, 3pm AEDT

February 17-21: Second Test, Delhi, 3pm AEDT

March 1-5: Third Test, Dharamsala, 3pm AEDT

March 9-13: Fourth Test, Ahmedabad, 3pm AEDT

All matches will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

India squad: (for the first two Tests) Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (vc), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat, Ishan Kishan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Suryakumar Yadav