Opener's superb first-class form continues, posting ton No.3 in his final home game for Somerset this season
Renshaw stars again with third county ton
Australia Test opener Matt Renshaw continued his excellent form in the United Kingdom's County Championship, posting his third hundred in eight innings for Somerset.
Renshaw's 106 was the centrepiece of Somerset's 7-307 on the opening day of their match at home to First Division ladder-leaders Nottinghamshire on Saturday.
🎥 View full highlights of a wonderful 106 from Matt Renshaw today! Renshaw has scored 411 @CountyChamp runs for Somerset at an average of 58.71 🔥🔥🔥#WeAreSomerset#SOMvNOTTS pic.twitter.com/TwVpTaiI2d%E2%80%94 Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) June 9, 2018
The left-hander faced 171 balls and struck 12 fours and two sixes, before eventually being bowled by Matthew Carter trying to hit the off-spinner back over his head.
Image Id: AD66A4E65A334142A7140307736C07B5 Image Caption: The imposing Renshaw hits through the leg-side // GettyRenshaw's time with Somerset will be cut short, with the 22-year-old set to leave Taunton in August before the end of the English season following an Australia A tour call-up.
"It was great to mark the last home game of my time with Somerset by scoring a century," said Renshaw at stumps on day one.
"The supporters have been great to me from the moment I arrived and were again.
"I was disappointed not to go on to a big hundred, but Tom Abell (57) and Steve Davies (59 not out) played really well to get us into a decent position."
"I keep telling Tom Abell I'm a Test bowler but he doesn't seem to listen too much" 😂 🎥 Matt Renshaw reflects on a fine hundred and gives Somerset fans an update on his availability moving forward#SOMvNOTTS pic.twitter.com/GY9uXQE1qk%E2%80%94 Somerset Cricket 🏏 (@SomersetCCC) June 9, 2018
Renshaw, who was born in the Yorkshire town of Middlesbrough, only joined Somerset as an overseas player after the county effectively ripped up the contract of fellow Australian batsman Cameron Bancroft as a result of his role in the ball-tampering scandal during the third Test against South Africa in March.
The Queenslander now sits fifth among the leading Championship run-scorers with 411 at 58.71 from five matches (including the ongoing one against Notts).
Tellingly though, his strike-rate (70.13) is the highest among any of top-10 leading run-makers, signalling a shift from his previously cautious approach to a more free-flowing style.
Speaking to cricket.com.au recently, Queensland assistant coach James Hopes said Renshaw is discovering the advantage of his height as an opening batsman, a trait former Bulls and Australia Test opener Matthew Hayden used to great effect.
"He's starting to work out that he's physically pretty imposing at the crease," said Hopes. "He's not a small guy, and he doesn't have to be timid in the way he bats.
"I think his strike-rate in the back half of the year against the swinging Dukes ball was 65-66, which is pretty impressive for an opener."
Renshaw's dominant four-day form will be music to the ears of Australian selectors looking to shape a squad capable of defeating Pakistan on spin-friendly UAE pitches later this year in what will be the Test side's first outing since their ill-fated South African tour.
He will first turn out for Australia A for five 50-over games and two four-day matches in India in August-September.
Renshaw has become the latest Australian import to star for Somerset, joining an illustrious list that includes Colin McCool, Bill Alley, Greg Chappell, Steve Waugh and, more recently, Justin Langer, the new Australia coach.