What Happened The Last Time Matt Renshaw Played A Test Match For Australia?

Matt Renshaw walks back [Source: AFP]

Matt Renshaw is all set to make his return to Australia's Test side after more than three years away from the longest format. The left-handed batter has been called up to the Australian squad in place of Jake Weatherald, who has been dropped after failing to make a significant impact in the first Test against Bangladesh.

Weatherald scored just 23 and 0 in Darwin, with Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud dismissing him in both innings. His struggles have once again forced Australia to make a change at the top of the order, and this time it is Matt Renshaw who gets the opportunity.

The 30-year-old is set to play his 15th Test for his country in the Australia vs Bangladesh 2nd Test and, remarkably, his last appearance came all the way back in February 2023.

Matt Renshaw Returned As David Warner's Concussion Substitute

The last time Renshaw wore the Australian Test whites, it was under rather unusual circumstances. Australia were touring India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in February 2023, and Renshaw was not originally playing as part of the first-choice XI.

Instead, he came into the second Test in Delhi as a concussion substitute for David Warner. Warner had been ruled out after suffering a concussion during the match, and Renshaw was brought into the Australian side. Interestingly, Australia did not use him at the top of the order despite being an opener by trade.

Travis Head and Usman Khawaja continued to open the innings, while Renshaw was pushed down to No. 5.

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It was a difficult situation for the left-hander because India had already started putting Australia under immense pressure. The visitors had posted 263 in their first innings, with Khawaja scoring 81 and Peter Handscomb remaining unbeaten on 72.

India then replied with 262, meaning Australia had only a one-run lead going into their second innings. That set up a fascinating final innings, but what followed was one of the most dramatic collapses Australia have suffered in recent Test cricket.

What Happened When Matt Renshaw Last Batted For Australia?

Renshaw walked into the middle with Australia already in trouble. Travis Head had provided Australia with a quick 43 from 46 balls, while Marnus Labuschagne scored 35. Steven Smith then fell for 9, leaving Australia at 85 for 3.

That was when Renshaw came into the picture. The left-hander faced just eight deliveries and managed only two runs. He attempted to use the sweep against Ravichandran Ashwin, but the shot did not work for him.

Ashwin trapped him lbw, ending Matt Renshaw's innings at just 2. His dismissal came at 95 for 5, and, incredibly, the collapse became even worse from there.

Peter Handscomb was dismissed without scoring, Pat Cummins also fell for a duck, and Alex Carey, Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann soon followed. Australia lost their final eight wickets for just 28 runs.

The entire innings lasted only 31.1 overs. Australia were bowled out for 113, with Renshaw's two runs becoming a very small part of a much bigger collapse.

Ravindra Jadeja was the chief destroyer. The left-arm spinner finished with career-best figures of 7 for 42, while Ashwin picked up three wickets.

In the end, India chased down 115 and won the Test by six wickets. For Renshaw, however, the match ended up being a forgettable return. He had entered the Test as a concussion substitute and walked away with scores of just 2 in his only innings. He also bowled for just one over in the whole match but gave away 7 runs in the process while going wicketless.

Can Matt Renshaw Finally Make His Test Return Count?

More than three years later, Renshaw gets another opportunity to rewrite that story. This time, there is no concussion-substitute situation and no sudden change in his batting position. Australia have confirmed that Renshaw will return at the top of the order in the Bangladesh vs Australia match in Mackay.

The timing is particularly interesting because Australia's opening combination has been under constant scrutiny since David Warner's retirement.

Renshaw has plenty of experience in Test cricket. He has played 14 Tests for Australia and has scored 645 runs at an average of 29.31, with one century and three half-centuries. Now, he returns with a much stronger domestic record behind him.

Renshaw averaged 49.90 in the Sheffield Shield last season and scored three centuries, giving Australia a strong reason to bring him back into the Test squad. He has also remained involved in Australia's white-ball plans and was recently part of the country's T20 setup.

Australia captain Pat Cummins has also backed Renshaw to bring his best version to the team, pointing towards his recent domestic form and improved consistency.

Now, against Bangladesh in Mackay, Matt Renshaw can finally turn the page on what was a forgettable last Test appearance and prove that his best days in Australian cricket are not behind him.

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