Renshaw awaits trial by Blues

Queensland opener Matthew Renshaw will face a particularly stern challenge in his latest Test audition from Friday.

The left-hander will open for the Bulls in a JLT Sheffield Shield match against a NSW bowling attack that's also Australia's Test line-up: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.

The next Shield round is vital for batsmen pushing their claims to gain selection for Australia's Test series against India, which starts on December 6.

Renshaw is among candidates including Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Peter Handscomb seeking to boost their claims with substantial Shield scores.

"I don't think you can really control what goes on selection-wise," Renshaw told reporters on Thursday.

"If it happens, it happens. If not, it doesn't.

"It's out of my control. I have just got to score as many runs as I can."

Renshaw was pragmatic about facing NSW's Test-strength bowling attack.

"You can't put anyone on a pedestal," he said.

"They're obviously a good bowling attack. We have just got to face that Kookaburra (ball) coming down at us ... just worry about that ball coming down at me and trying to bat as long as I can.

"As an opener it's going to be tough against the new ball. It always is."

Renshaw made 89 in Queensland's last Shield game against Western Australia.

"I was just able to bat ... I just felt really rhythmical and not even thinking too much about batting," he said.

"Just really enjoying it and having a smile on my face and a song in my head and it all seemed to click."

NSW spinner Lyon predicted Renshaw could all but seal a return to the Australian top order if he can get amongst the runs in Canberra against a Test-level attack.

"If Matt Renshaw comes out and bats well, against this opposition, I dare say it'll weigh pretty heavily," Lyon said.

"But we're not going to go easy on him just because he's one of our mates and he's trying to get back into the Test side. Selection is up to the selectors and the coach and the captain."

Both sides have one win and two draws from three games - defending champion Queensland languishes in last place.