Intrigue surrounds the start of cricket’s new era

Matthew Renshaw’s absence from the Australian side that took the field for its new era is as intriguing as Glenn Maxwell’s absence from the squad.

Tim Paine celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss Imam-ul-Haq. Picture: Getty Images.

Matthew Renshaw’s absence from the Australian side that took the field for the first Test of a new era is as intriguing as Glenn Maxwell’s absence from the squad.

The opener has somehow managed to cost himself what seemed like a guaranteed spot.

Australian cricket began its long and presumably difficult task of resurrecting itself in Dubai yesterday. Day one of the first Test since the South African series dawned under a crackling sun with intrigue around the men brought in to fill the gaps and what their future holds.

Their task is simpler than it seems: It’s not up to them to restore their team’s reputation so much as ensure they are not placeholders in a side whose best batsmen are banned.

There are long and short games at play. The bowlers fit the latter category. Two of the best seamers, Pat Cummins and newly appointed co-vice-captain Josh Hazlewood, are indisposed. Conditions demand two spinners, so Jon Holland comes in to keep Nathan Lyon company.

It is the batting selections that are the most curious. Maxwell didn’t even make the long list. Renshaw did and appears to be the most surprising exclusion from the XI.

Once the opener of choice, he made way for Cameron Bancroft for the Ashes, managed to re-­establish himself playing Sheffield Shield and county cricket, and was pencilled in to open in this game.

It must have been a bitter experience for him to witness Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head and Aaron Finch being presented with their caps with beaming families gathered and inspirational words uttered at the start of play.

Renshaw played 10 Tests before losing shape and his place in the side to Bancroft and one after The Incident in South Africa.

Mitchell Starc feels the heat during the opening day. Picture: Gwtty Images

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A knock to the head meant he missed the tour game. A hamstring strain meant he missed one of the two four-day matches in India and it was ruled he’d not had enough cricket to make the cut.

There were curious scenes at the optional training day before the match. Renshaw and a handful of other extras showed up, the young Queenslander began his warm-up in the shade before coach Justin Langer emerged and, slightly simmering, ordered the warm-up moved to the direct glare of the afternoon sun.

The coach had a bee in his bonnet. Renshaw then spent so long catching high balls in a far hot corner of the stadium he almost had to be helped back to the dressing room. It was a brutal workout and had the distinct stench of disciplinary action. Selection is full of inherent contradictions, but one of Langer’s intentions is to make every player earn a place.

There are clear exceptions and there have to be in these circumstances. Labuschagne has bolted from nowhere into the side in place of the opener, but not in the opener’s place — Usman Khawaja had to slide up from first drop in his absence.

It appears Renshaw didn’t want it enough, or didn’t convince the coach he wanted it enough.

At 22 he is young and there are reports he lacks a bit of maturity. Perhaps doesn’t always read the room. May be prone to the excess of confidence common at such an age.

While captain Tim Paine was sticking to the party line on Renshaw on the eve of the Test, he also made it clear that Labuschagne brought a welcome energy.

The Australians were having a torrid time of their new beginning yesterday. Mohammed Hafeez, out of the team for two years, celebrated his recall with a hundred as he and opening partner Imam-ul-Haq navigated the first two sessions unscathed.

The century maker offered one difficult chance when he drove Jon Holland over his head in the first hour after lunch but Mitch Marsh could not hold on to a high catch.

The Australians knew they had to be patient, but they never imagined it was going to be this demanding. Hafeez, the 37-year-old opener, was dropped two years ago and not happy with it.

He got his chance in this match despite having gone to war with coach Mickey Arthur when axed the first time.

The all-rounder has had trouble with his bowling action reported and was recently left out of the squad for the Asia Cup series.

So, his 172-ball century was something of a triumphant return. The batsmen celebrated with opening partner Imam-ul-Haq before falling to his knees in prayer. The pair had the bowling attack almost on its knees.

The bowlers deserved a break just for showing up. Peter Siddle looked so hot he would drop early after lunch, with the Dubai heat at its absolute worse.

While it was not quite 40 degrees outside, it was a hell of a lot hotter than that in the stadium where what breeze there is off the gulf makes no impact.