As Australia seeks to balance keeping its veterans on deck while blooding the next generation of talent, Matt Renshaw has seemingly become the forgotten man of one-day cricket.
But according to star batsman Marnus Labuschagne, a call-up was nearing for his fellow Queenslander – provided his form line stayed the course.
While Cooper Connolly and Aaron Hardie garnered opportunities last year – each averaging 19 in the 50-over game – an international debut eludes Renshaw, despite averaging 61 with four centuries and five half-centuries across the past four summers at a strike rate of 104.55.
Maatt Renshaw has transformed his short format game. Credit: AAP Image/Darren England
He has also assembled a resume of key T20 innings for Brisbane – including a destructive 54 from 27 balls, and a match-winning unbeaten 48 this campaign – but has never played the shortest format for his country, and was overlooked for the Australia A squad to take on England Lions from January 30.
Along with Hardie and Connolly, livewire opener Jake Fraser-McGurk (averaging 28.15) and Matthew Short (33.11) featured in Australia’s 2-1 ODI series defeat to Pakistan late last year.
Labuschagne, named for the Champions Trophy as part of much the same squad which won the 2023 World Cup, believed there was no more Renshaw could do to ensure he was a consideration beyond the tournament beginning in February.
But as he returns to the Brisbane Heat fold for Thursday’s BBL clash with the Hurricanes, he hinted the nature of his teammate’s role had kept him from garnering selection.
“Just looking at it, it’s probably more a role thing. Renners is batting in the middle order, the middle order spots are taken by certain guys they value probably just ahead of Renners,” Labuschagne said.
“But as anyone knows, the only way you keep putting your name up there is by continuing to score runs. His development and the way he’s played his white ball cricket has been awesome.
“I think he’s always had that ability in the short formats, I think his ability in short format cricket just shows his power and at certain times in the red ball game we’ve seen that Matt Renshaw who’s got so much power, finesse, strike ability, and that’s what makes him such a good player.
“There are not many players you get who are six-foot-six, who have power and finesse, and he does have both. That’s what makes him such a great player, and what makes him in white ball cricket so tough.
“He’s got the ability to hit balls into the top tier, but he’s also got the ability to work the ball, reverse lap, sweep, and do all those things, so he becomes really tricky to bowl to. I’m not shocked at all about his development in white ball cricket because I think he’s had that for a long time.”
“I think you need to add a little bit more craft in Sri Lanka, if it’s really tough spinning wickets, but there’s so certainly no reason why being aggressive and finding your method can’t work there,” Labuschagne said.
“I haven’t seen Sam play spin a lot, so I’m sure he’ll have a method and have a plan, and if he gets the opportunity I’m sure he’ll take it on. I think as his career continues we’ll see him develop and show all these other skills and abilities.”
