Opening batsman Matt Renshaw isn’t fazed by accusations of pedestrianism as Australia prepare for a crucial Test series against Sri Lanka later this month.
Renshaw and fellow opener Joe Burns have been recalled to a relatively new-look squad, with batsmen Peter Handscomb and Aaron Finch, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh dropped after Australia’s recent series loss to India.
‘I love being called boring,’ said Renshaw, whose strike rate after 20 Test innings is 42.48.
‘I get called a lot of names, but boring isn’t the worst one to be called. I love batting, and if I manage to bat all day then your team is in a good [spot].
‘That’s probably my role as a cricketer, to try and put the team first and make sure the team’s in a good position.’
The series opener will be a day-night Test in Brisbane, where the 22-year-old Renshaw has played a lot of first-class cricket for Queensland.
‘The Gabba is obviously a really nice ground for us Queenslanders, having known how to play there and having quite a few games there,’ he added.
‘Probably a pink ball changes things a little bit, but it’s probably similar plans to what I need to bat like in all forms.’
He, too, will be part of the Cricket Australia XI for a warm-up match against the tourists prior to the first Test. Burns and the uncapped Will Pucovski, who is also in the squad for the Tests, will play in the Hobart warm-up fixture as well.
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