Queensland’s Matt Renshaw believes failure to make Sheffield Shield ton cost him Test place

As Australia’s top-order spluttered to another Test loss Matt Renshaw could only watch on. And with little cricket in recent weeks the former Aussie opener isn’t certain how he can win his spot back.

Matt Renshaw drives during day 1 of the 3rd Test between Australia and Pakistan at the SCG , Moore Park . Picture : Gregg Porteous

Queenslander Matt Renshaw believes 11 runs cost him a Test recall and his lack of time in the middle has killed his chances of facing India.

Renshaw is hoping to play his first game of the Big Bash League season when the Brisbane Heat host the Sydney Sixers at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday.

The former Test opener has been sitting on the sidelines since Queensland’s last Sheffield Shield match finished on December 10 after being overlooked for the Heat’s opening two games.

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Apart from a couple of Twenty20 matches in the local Brisbane competition, Renshaw has not played a top-flight game in three weeks.

The 22-year-old opener was overlooked for Test selection following a slow start to the Shield season where he managed only one half-century in five matches.

Renshaw’s top score for the Bulls was 89 against Western Australia and the 11-Test representative believes a century would have seen him back in the baggy green for the India series.

Matt Renshaw in action for the Aussies. Pic: Phil Hillyard

Renshaw toured the UAE in October in new coach Justin Langer’s first squad for the two-Test Pakistan series, but didn’t play after suffering concussion in a warm-up game.

India yesterday took a 2-1 series lead after beating Australia by 137 runs at the MCG, igniting speculation a batting order shake-up was on the cards after Bulls all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne was drafted into the squad.

But Renshaw reckons the cricket gods have conspired against him breaking back into the Test arena for the first time since jetting into South Africa in March as a replacement player following the ball tampering scandal.

“I’m hitting the ball well. I batted really well against WA and made 89 and if I got 100 I was probably in the Test team,” Renshaw told The Courier-Mail.

“It’s 11 runs. It’s not much but changes perspective.

“As an opener you’re not going to score 100 every time but when you get in and make those 50-plus scores you’ve got to make them big hundreds.

Matt Renshaw made an 89 for Queensland and failed to make the Test squad. Pic: AAP

“I’d be able to do a job if I was selected but I don’t see how I can get picked if I’m not playing any cricket or not in form because I haven’t played a game since early December.

“I feel like I’m going all right. I’m relaxing and preparing to play for the Heat if that opportunity comes up.”

Renshaw was in a similar situation last year.

He was dropped for the Ashes following a shocking start to the 2017-18 Shield where he failed to reach 20 in six innings for Queensland.

Renshaw’s pre-Christmas form was again slow this year, although he blasted a record 345 for Toombul after being overlooked for the Test squad.

Australian openers Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris have struggled against India, opening the door for Renshaw or in-form Bulls teammate Joe Burns to return to the Test arena.

Renshaw said too much emphasis was placed on the matches leading into the summer Test series each year.

“I hadn’t scored enough runs, it’s understandable but also frustrating knowing the first three games of the Shield season is always ‘who’s going to score the most runs?’” he said.

“The media always builds it up. If you score runs in those three games you can play for Australia.

Renshaw: “I don’t see how I can get picked if I’m not playing any cricket.” Pic: Gregg Porteous

“The concussion did cost me my spot which was annoying.

“It’s a thing that happens in cricket. I’ve got to deal with it as best as I can.

“I need to get a bit more consistent which is tough as an opener. When I get through the new ball I have to make it count for myself.

“I think I’ve dealt pretty well with (the mental aspect). I’ve been really relaxed. I felt like a million bucks when I got 89.”

While he has not been playing for the Heat, Renshaw has been closely watching Twenty20 specialists Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn.

The Heat are looking for the first win of the summer and Renshaw said he was ready to go if the team received a shake-up.

“I’m learning a fair bit from watching and if I get an opportunity to play I have learnt from the other guys,” he said.

“Twenty20 is changing. When it first started it was hit and giggle but now it’s really technical.

“It’s all about game scenarios and I’ve been working on that a lot.”