BBL08: Test discard Matt Renshaw determined to prove his Twenty20 credentials with Brisbane Heat

Axed Test opener Matt Renshaw is out to prove he can be a Twenty20 star after declaring he has the shots to set the Big Bash League alight - and he’s getting plenty of high-profile assistance.

Matthew Renshaw is keen to make a big impression in BBL08.

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Axed Test opener Matt Renshaw is out to prove he can be a Twenty20 star after declaring he has the shots to set the Big Bash League alight.

Renshaw will get a chance to press his claims for a Brisbane Heat jersey when he turns out for club side Toombul on Saturday.

The Premier Grade competition will be stacked with Heat stars including Chris Lynn, James Pattinson and Renshaw ahead of Wednesday’s BBL08 opener against reigning champions Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba.

Renshaw has been in an odd patch of form this summer.

Matthew Renshaw is keen to make a big impression in BBL08.

He has only scored one half century in 10 Sheffield Shield innings for Queensland, causing him to miss out on Test selection for Australia’s series against India.

But the 22-year-old has blasted 611 runs in four innings for Toombul, including three centuries and a record 345 from 273 balls earlier this month.

With the Shield breaking until next year, Renshaw can free his mind of the pressures of breaking back into the Test arena and focus on cracking the BBL.

Renowned for being a red ball specialist, Renshaw made his sole BBL appearance last summer and wants another crack in the hugely popular tournament.

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“It’ll be a nice change playing Twenty20 cricket and having a go at getting better with it,” he said.

“I had a good experience last year and have a massive chance to learn a lot more this year.

“I think I have (the shots to be successful). It’s about learning when to play the shots, when you can attack and not attack.

“I’m trying to take that from guys like Chris Lynn and Brendon McCullum. They are experienced in the Twenty20 format.”

Renshaw’s competition record 345 included 50 boundaries - 38 fours and 12 sixes.

The towering left-hander has the ability to clear the rope, especially down the ground, and said he wanted to prove he could be a white ball sensation.

Matt Renshaw hasn’t really hit his stride in the Sheffield Shield thus far.

“Generally I catch up in a lot of red ball games and my strike rate comes up after having a look at the new ball,” he said.

“In Twenty20 cricket you’ve got to pretty much go from ball one.

“I want to play as much as I can and learn as much as I can. I’ll take what comes and enjoy it.

“I’m still a relative newcomer to Twenty20 cricket.”

Renshaw’s quest to break back into the Test arena hit a hurdle when he suffered concussion in the lead-up to last month’s series against Pakistan in the UAE.

His subsequent Shield form wasn’t enough to demand a recall and coach Justin Langer’s message was simple to the 11-Test representative.

“It’s obviously disappointing when you don’t make a team you’re trying to get into,” he said.

“It’s disappointing but that’s part of being a human. I probably didn’t have the runs on the board to get selected.

“That’s life in cricket. You’ve got to take the good and bad, move on and try to score runs.

“They spoke to me and said I needed a few more runs.

“I feel like I’m going well in Shield games but I’m finding ways to get out.”

Renshaw, Lynn and Pattinson will turn out for Toombul against Heat teammates Joe Burns, Jack Prestwidge and Afghani spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, who will don Norths colours at Shaw Park.