Australian opening batsman Matthew Renshaw is out of the tour match against Pakistan A after scary hit

MATTHEW Renshaw has been sent spiralling out of Australia’s UAE tour match after copping a brutal knock to the face.

Renshaw has 11 tests experience and will be a key for Australia at the top of the order.

AUSTRALIA have suffered an injury scare ahead of their two-Test series against Pakistan, with opener Matthew Renshaw knocked out of the four-day tour match in Dubai after a fielding mishap.

Renshaw was crouching at short leg to spinner Nathan Lyon on Sunday when a full-blooded pull shot from Pakistan A top scorer Abid Ali slammed into the side of his helmet during the opening session on day two.

The ball rebounded to captain and wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who completed the dismissal, though the sixth of Lyon’s eight wickets was hardly cause for celebration.

Renshaw was clearly dazed by the impact and sat with his head in his hands after removing the helmet.

It’s not the first time Renshaw has been hit in the helmet while fielding in close.

Paine helped the 22-year-old to his feet and after treatment from medical staff Renshaw headed to the ICC Academy pavilion.

He will take no further part in the game, Australia’s only build-up match before the first Test with Pakistan starts on October 7.

Uncapped South African-born batsman Marnus Labuschagne has been allowed to replace Renshaw, whose career has been disrupted by concussions.

He suffered a head knock when warming up for a Sheffield Shield match in March and was replaced in the Queensland line-up.

Renshaw was also withdrawn from 2017 New Year’s Test in Sydney against Pakistan after he was struck by a bouncer and then hit again on the helmet while fielding at short leg two days later.

Renshaw was replaced in the side by Queensland teammate Marnus Labuschagne.

Shortly after the incident Pakistan A, who resumed at 6-247, were dismissed for 278.

Veteran Lyon took 8-103 from 39.1 overs of toil on a helpful wicket while Abid’s 263-ball stay ended on 85.

Usman Khawaja was promoted to open the batting alongside Aaron Finch and made a patient 36 from 131 deliveries before Australia reached stumps at 2-207.

Finch was the first wicket to fall when he was caught behind off the bowling of left-arm quick Waqas Maqsood for a 91-ball 54 studded with seven boundaries.

The Marsh brothers, Shaun and Mitchell, then combined to compile an unbeaten stand for the third wicket worth 103. They resume on 54 and 53 respectively.

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