AUS vs WI: Matthew Hayden Backs Matt Renshaw As Test Opener, Cites ‘Youthful Edge’ As Key Reason

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has backed Matt Renshaw as the new Test opener for Australia. Matthew Hayden feels that Matt Renshaw has the age factor behind him and it will be a good idea to groom a young batsman.

David Warner has retired from Test cricket after the recent Australia vs Pakistan Test series. After his retirement, Australia needs a powerful backup as an opener in Tests. Three players have risen to the forefront- Matt Renshaw, Cameron Bancroft, and Marcus Harris.

However, it is to be seen who will grab David Warner’s place in the Test side. Cricket Australia will soon announce the squad for the upcoming Test series against West Indies. The AUS vs WI Test series will witness two encounters starting January 17.

Also Read: AUS vs WI: “Don’t Be Surprised If Steve Smith Breaks Brian Lara’s 400 Record” – Michael Clarke

Matthew Hayden Backs Matt Renshaw As Australia Test Opener

During a conversation with ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’, Aussie batting legend Matthew Hayden backed Math Renshaw as the new Test opener for Australia.

“David Warner has had his say in Marcus Harris and Ricky Ponting has had his say on record with (Cameron) Bancroft. I feel like a left-handed opener in Renshaw is that person with age on his side”. 

“He maybe doesn’t have the performances of Bancroft at first-class cricket but in many ways, I just feel like he has shown what he can potentially do, and he has that longevity. With a banker like Khawaja, given the form, maybe it’s time to look to the future and groom that individual”, Matthew Hayden said. 

Hayden also noted that Matt Renshaw gives a youthful edge and he would prefer to groom a young player in Tests.

“It’s a gut feel more than anything. Bancroft and Harris are a little older, and you could argue a little wiser but Renshaw gives you that youthful edge, and soon you’re going to have two new openers. I’d prefer to have one of them blooded now”, Hayden further added.

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Renshaw is a 27-year-old batter with an experience of 14 Tests since 2016. He averages 29.32 with 1 century and 3 fifties across 24 innings. Marcus Harris averages 25.29 across 26 innings with 3 half-centuries and has reached 31 years.

Cameron Bancroft also shares the same age and accounts for 446 runs in 18 innings at 26+ average. Hence, if we look at the stats, Renshaw has an upper edge. However, the rest of the two have shown consistent form in recent times.

Not Going To Happen In My Opinion: Matthew Hayden On Steve Smith Taking Opening Slot

There are also rumors of Steve Smith taking the opening slot after David Warner’s ouster. Smith is a regular member of the Test team and plays in a one-down slot. However, Matthew Hayden feels that captain Pat Cummins will not go ahead with that idea.

“It’s just not going to happen in my opinion. He’s commanded so much respect in the game that we should all listen to what he has to say, but I equally think that’s not the way the Australian cricket team management will go. It certainly doesn’t sound like the way Pat will go”.

“I just can’t see how strategically that (Smith opening) is going to work for Cricket Australia. They will need someone more concrete than that. When you look at the success over the last two years of this Test team, it’s been based on a very solid foundation”, Hayden concluded.

Meanwhile, Australia won the recent Test series against Pakistan 3-0 after crushing them in all three games. David Warner was given a warm farewell after the final Test in Sydney. Now, the Aussies will host West Indies for a Test, ODI, and T20I series at home.