Four players could earn their baggy greens against Pakistan in the first Test
AUSTRALIA could name four debutants for the first time since the start of World Series Cricket as Matt Renshaw fights to prove his fitness for the opening Test against Pakistan.
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AUSTRALIA could name four debutants for the first time since the start of World Series Cricket as Matt Renshaw fights to prove his fitness for the opening Test against Pakistan.
Renshaw copped a head knock fielding under the helmet at short leg on day two of Australia’s tour match against Pakistan A and was ruled out of the match with concussion, as Mitchell Marsh went on and posted a hundred.
Early reports out of Dubai suggest the concussion is minor but the fact he is missing the only lead-up match does cast doubt over his position and puts Queenslander Marnus Labuschagne in the frame for a shock debut.
As it is Aaron Finch, Travis Head and Michael Neser are all likely to earn their maiden baggy green caps, but if Labuschagne gets a call-up it would create history as one of the biggest upheavals in Australian Test cricket.
Not since the first season of World Series Cricket when six debutants were blooded for the first Test and four for the last against India would selectors have enacted such change.
Transformation is also imminent at Cricket Australia headquarters, with a chief executive expected to be announced as early as Wednesday.
James Sutherland’s current second-in-command Kevin Roberts is a frontrunner but there is also significant support for creating an entirely fresh start with former NSW Chairman John Warn.
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Roberts was Cricket Australia’s lead man during the bitter pay dispute with players which at the time completely alienated the playing group.
Sutherland was prepared to serve out a 12-month notice period but it’s unlikely he would be in the role by the time the summer gets underway.
Renshaw will continue to undergo testing in Dubai but the early word is the left-hand opener is on the improve and the concussion isn’t believed to be serious.
“He’s okay,” Aaron Finch told reporters after making a half-century.
“It was a pretty heavy knock to the head there.
“He’s been with the medical staff all afternoon but he seems in really good spirits. He’s confident that his headaches are subsiding pretty quickly.”
In his absence, Usman Khawaja stepped up to open the batting with Finch and made 36.
Mitchell Marsh made an important ton but brother Shaun fell just six runs short of his century, ending a 200-run stand between the brothers.
Labuschagne had a chance to make runs and pose a very interesting dilemma to selectors after Pakistan A agreed to the Australians being able to substitute him into the XI for Renshaw.
At this point Australia hasn’t signalled they will be calling in a shadow batsman but that measure remains a possibility if Renshaw’s condition doesn’t improve.
The Australians’ decision to bat Mitchell Marsh above Travis Head in the order is a major endorsement of the new vice-captain, but also a sign Justin Langer wants to separate his left-handers in the order.
Peter Siddle was the overwhelming favourite to partner Mitchell Starc in the attack, but the selection of Neser for the tour match appears a strong indication the unheralded Queenslander is likely to debut.
Although, Neser only bowled 11 overs compared to Starc’s 21 and went wicketless meaning the door may still be ajar for Siddle.
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Originally published as Four players could earn their baggy greens against Pakistan in the first Test
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