Matthew Renshaw has silenced speculation about his Test future by scoring a maiden century on the opening day of the third Test against Pakistan at the SCG. The 20-year-old opener remained unbeaten on 167, guiding Australia to 3-365 at stumps.
A media report on the morning of the Test suggested Renshaw would be dropped for Shaun Marsh ahead of the four-Test series in India. Marsh, who missed much of the summer with a finger injury, is fit again and available for selection, with his ability to play spin on the subcontinent cited as a reason for a potential recall.
Renshaw, however, said he never felt he was playing for his immediate Test future. 'I didn't really know that I was going to miss out on India, so it didn't really come into my head too much,' he said. 'You go onto every game and try and do as well as you can. But I wasn't expecting to be this score tonight.'
The Queenslander showed great patience, compiling his 167 off 275 deliveries with 18 fours. He was content to let opening partner David Warner set the pace, as Warner smashed a century off 78 balls before lunch. 'That first session was something of a whirlwind,' Renshaw said. 'Davy was just absolutely smoking them and I was on not many.'
Renshaw was felled by a Mohammad Amir bouncer when on 91 but was cleared of concussion by team doctor Peter Brukner. He now has his sights set on a double century on day two. 'It should be a good experience if I'm selected,' he said of the India tour, adding, 'But we've got a Test match to win…so try and concentrate on that for the moment.'
