Matthew Renshaw has been called up into the Australian team for the fourth Test in South Africa

QUEENSLAND opener Matt Renshaw says he will take on South Africa with “no fear” after Steve Smith’s ball-tampering suspension saw him recalled to Australia’s Test squad.

UPDATE: QUEENSLAND opener Matt Renshaw says he will take on South Africa with “no fear” after Steve Smith’s ball-tampering suspension saw him recalled to Australia’s Test squad.

Renshaw hopped on a plane bound for Johannesburg on Tuesday night just hours after hitting the winning runs in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield final triumph against Tasmania.

On a dramatic day at Allan Border Field, Renshaw’s recall to the Test arena was announced as he was plundering Tasmania in an unbeaten 81 (83 balls).

He will land in South Africa on Wednesday celebrating his 22nd birthday, and have just one day to prepare before replacing suspended skipper Smith for the fourth Test, starting Friday.

Matt Renshaw has been called up into the Australian team.

The fact an opener in Renshaw has been jettisoned into the squad proves top order duo David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, who physically tampered with the ball, could also be rubbed out of the final Test.

Renshaw’s Bulls teammate Joe Burns is also still in the mix for a recall, pending the punishments expected to be delivered by Cricket Australia bosses tomorrow.

Renshaw, axed before the 2017-18 Ashes series after 10 Tests, said he would approach his second chance in the international arena without fear.

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“It’s going to be tough (but) I’ll go over there with no fear and enjoy the challenge that’s coming,” he said.

“I need to enjoy getting back and that joy of playing for my country. I need to enjoy the challenge of playing Test cricket.

“It’s not every day that you get to play for your country. I’m really looking forward to getting back in the Test arena, expressing myself and seeing where I’m at in terms of my new-found form.

“Hopefully that works. I’m not putting too much pressure on myself.”

LISTEN! A special ball tampering crisis Cricket Unfiltered episode is out with News Corp’s Russell Gould and Andrew Menczel dissecting the fallout of the Australian cheating scandal.

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The England-born Renshaw made his Test debut against South Africa in 2016 as Australia overhauled its side following a disastrous start to the summer.

He struck 184 against Pakistan in Sydney and showed promising signs against Bangladesh and India on the subcontinent before being axed following a lean start to the Sheffield Shield summer.

Renshaw, who averages 36.64 in Tests, failed to reach 20 in six Shield innings before the Ashes and was dropped, ironically for Bancroft.

His form since being axed has been exemplary. Renshaw posted three centuries (170, 112, 143 not out) in three matches as the Bulls raced to the top of the Shield ladder and celebrated his recall with a dazzling innings yesterday before jumping on a plane.

“I’m a different cricketer,” Renshaw said.

“I’m keeping it simple. I’m trying to go out there and not think too much about my batting.

“After what happened (being dropped), it’s about not putting too much pressure on myself. I have to go out and bat and enjoy myself and the challenge that is Test cricket.

Cameron Bancroft and David Warner may also be banned over the ball tampering incident.

“I’m pretty happy with how I’m going but it’s a different challenge in South Africa. I’ve got to try and adapt as quick as I can.

“I find when I’m playing my best I’ve got a smile on my face.”

Burns, 28, made his Test debut against India at the MCG on Boxing Day in 2014, progressed from No. 6 to the top of the order alongside Warner and struck three centuries before being axed after 13 Tests.

Burns’ last Test appearance was in Tasmania against South Africa in the disastrous 2016 series, but has been in solid touch throughout an injury-affected summer, scoring two centuries and three fifties for the Bulls in seven matches.

He scored an unbeaten 202 for the Bulls before Christmas and returned to the side from a groin injury with 97 before hitting 41 yesterday, but Renshaw’s form was too hard to ignore and he secured the first call-up.

Originally published as Matthew Renshaw has been called up into the Australian team for the fourth Test in South Africa