Border wants position switch for Renshaw

Test legend Allan Border says Matthew Renshaw has served his time fielding at short leg after the opener suffered a concussion in the “dangerous” position that has him in doubt for the first Test against Pakistan.

Renshaw was struck flush on the helmet fielding at short leg on day two of Australia's sole tour match against Pakistan A in Dubai and was substituted for Queensland teammate Marnus Labuschagne for the rest of the four-day game.

The blow deprived Renshaw of valuable time in the middle ahead of Sunday's opening Test, which has left coach Justin Langer with a selection headache in his first Test series in charge of the national team.

Renshaw has suffered multiple concussions in his fledgling career, including being ruled out partway through the 2017 New Year's Test after he was first hit by a bouncer batting and struck fielding at short leg two days later.

With Australia already missing the services of suspended openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, the 22-year-old looms as a vital cog for the Australians this summer.

And given his concussion history, Border wants him out from under the lid.

"Got to get him out of there," Border said on FOX Cricket. "It's a dangerous spot to field and I suggest he's probably served his time there now."

While Border wants the youngster away from close-in fielding positions, former selector and Test great Mark Waugh suggested on Twitter that fielding at short leg runs the same risk of concussion as batting.

Crucial steps have been taken to ensure players are protected when suffering concussion.

Concussion substitutes are used in Australian domestic competitions and English county cricket, which Cricket Australia hopes will convince the International Cricket Council to adopt the playing condition for international cricket.

Victoria captain Peter Handscomb says player welfare is at a paramount when head injuries are concerned.

"It's a bit scary, really," Handscomb told SEN. "We all know how dangerous it is when you get hit on the head.

"Guys are bowling fast and fielding in really close positions and that's been cricket from the start.

"It's a bit scary. Obviously I'm not a doctor but we've got to make sure we look after these people that have these reactions to getting hit on the head."

Langer says Renshaw is fit to play the first Test following his most recent knock, but conceded he has concerns over the 22-year-old's lack of match practice given he’s now suffered finger, hamstring and head injuries over the past three-and-a-half months.

"I think Matthew Renshaw will be physically fine - the one thing he's got is he hasn't played much cricket," Langer said.

"He went on the Australia A trip, he got a hamstring strain … he hasn't spent much time in the middle. That's going to be the issue for him.

"It's going to be an instinct call. We've got to weigh up what he's done in the past. He's obviously a very good young player. We've got to work out whether he's spent enough time out in the middle to be ready for a Test match."

Qantas Tour of the UAE

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

Pakistan Test squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez

Sep 29 - Oct 2: Tour match v Pak A, Dubai

Oct 7-11: First Test, Dubai

Oct 16-20: Second Test, Abu Dhabi