Pat Cummins has indicated that Matt Renshaw could open for Australia in the second Test against South Africa after producing a match-winning performance at number five in Durban.
Renshaw made 190 and 82, as well as taking two wickets in South Africa’s fourth innings, to emerge as the outstanding performer in Australia’s 214-run victory. The result avenged their defeat by South Africa in last year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
Australia face South Africa again in Gqeberha from Sunday, with Cummins stressing that the batting order could be adjusted to suit the conditions. Travis Head and recalled batter Nic Maddinson are also capable of moving between positions.
Head, who had strongly defended his position as an opener before the match, endured another quiet outing with the bat. Cummins said Renshaw’s display had given the selectors another option, rather than definitively settling the order.
“We’re always big on how the order functions as a whole,” Cummins said. “Seeing the way that he played spin in the one-day series led me to the thought [that] he would look pretty good at number five.”
He added: “Give us a few days, we’ll look at the conditions of the next Test and whether that’s still the case. I mean, it’s got to be pretty compelling to move him from there. But we’ve seen Travis Head down at number five as well, [he] can do a job.”
Cummins said Renshaw remained a viable opening option, while praising his ability to contribute in a different role after being moved down the order for the Durban Test.
“We’re always working out the six batters or seven plus Kez [Alex Carey]. How’s that going to function as a whole? So if anything, I still think he can be a great opener, and now he’s got another string to his bow,” he said.
The decision to use Renshaw at five was made after discussions between Cummins, head coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey. Cummins said Marnus Labuschagne at three and Steve Smith at four were considered settled, while the arrival of Maddinson had created greater flexibility elsewhere.
“That unlocks a lot – Trav back to number five, Renners down at number five, even Maddo himself at number five,” Cummins said. “We haven’t had that option the last few years where we feel like we’ve got plenty of options at the top.”
Maddinson was dismissed for 33 balls without scoring in the first innings but responded with 48 from 38 balls in the second. He also bowled a few overs late in the match after Cummins called on six spinners during the victory.
Steve Smith was cleared to return to the field after recovering from a potential concussion and took his fifth catch of the match at slip. Cummins said Smith had passed his tests and was feeling well when he woke on the final morning.
