Renshaw raring to show flamboyant side

Matthew Renshaw is ready for life at the top without David Warner after finding a balance between caution and aggression in a prolific 2018.

The Queenslander says he's "changed a few people's minds" about his ability to get the scoreboard ticking after upping the ante in the back half of last summer's JLT Sheffield Shield.

Before a fractured finger ended a county stint with Somerset last month, the 22-year-old had amassed more first-class runs than anyone this year, and at a very healthy strike-rate that belied his cautious, slow-going start to his Test career.

The left-hander scored 654 runs at 72.66 in the second half of last summer's Shield season, and continued that form in the UK, where he scored three tons in six first-class fixtures – including one 86-ball century – and finished with 513 runs at 51.30.

Being more aggressive and showcasing a power game was something Renshaw said he had deliberately introduced to his game.

"If I have a bit more intent, I'll generally bat a lot better than sitting back and blocking," he said on the Gold Coast today where it was announced Metricon Stadium will host three BBL|08 fixtures.

"So finding that mixture between intent and full-out defence is the tough thing and I'll learn that through my whole career."

Renshaw was parachuted back into the Australia Test team for the Johannesburg Test in March in the wake of suspensions to Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft. He appears almost certain to retain that spot going forward having been named in the Australia A squad for both red and white ball cricket ahead of a two-Test series against Pakistan in October.

Renshaw's likely opening partner in Test cricket remains uncertain, with Usman Khawaja or Shaun Marsh possible candidates after Joe Burns, who also played in Johannesburg, was overlooked for the Australia A tour.

Renshaw's new-found stroke play, which has seen him earn a new deal with the Brisbane Heat, could help fill the void left by the free-wheeling Warner, who ensured the run rate was healthy when a cautious Renshaw was finding his feet at Test level.

"It's going to be a bit different with no Warner if I'm in that Test side," Renshaw said.

"When I first came in I was feeding off him, it's going to be different and will change the scenario opening without Davey there."

Renshaw is expected to resume batting in the next fortnight, giving him about another two weeks in the nets before the opening Australia A one-day fixture in India, where he hopes to get plenty of time at the crease.

And while he appears a lock-in for the Test team, the Queenslander also has eyes on a spot in Australia's one-day team that is reeling after a 5-0 thrashing by England this winter.

"The (Australia A) one-dayers are a big opportunity for me to put my name forward for white-ball cricket for Australia," said Renshaw.

"It's been a tough couple of months in the white-ball format. Obviously if I can put my name forward it would be quite nice being in that format as well.

"I've been (pigeonholed) as a red-ball cricketer over the last few years of my cricket career.

"Coming in this year, playing a game for the Heat at the start of the year and scoring some runs at a higher strike-rate has probably changed a few people's minds."

Australia A Tour of India

Australia A four-day squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Michael Neser, Joel Paris, Kurtis Patterson, Matthew Renshaw, Mitch Swepson, Chris Tremain

Australia A one-day squad: Travis Head (c), Alex Carey (vc), Ashton Agar, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Joel Paris, Matthew Renshaw, Jhye Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Mitch Swepson, Chris Tremain, Jack Wildermuth

Schedule

One-day fixtures in Vijayawada

17 August v India A

19 August v South Africa A

23 August v India A

25 August v South Africa A

29 August – Tri-Series Final

Four-day fixtures in Vizag

2 – 5 September v India A

8 – 11 September v India A