14 Facts about Matthew Renshaw - Second youngest player to play for Australia

Matthew Renshaw is tipped to be the player for the future in Australia cricket. The tall burly left-handed batsman has an inclination towards building massive runs. Renshaw’s inclusion in the Australian squad for the day-night Test against South Africa is a clear indication of an early start to his career. Not often do we see an Australian start his national career at such a young age. With Renshaw making his debut only at 20 years of age, he is set to get ample of opportunities.

One would surely want to believe that he is the man Australian cricket is investing on. If he continues to do what he does at the domestic circuit, Renshaw has the potential to become a big name in world cricket.

Here are some facts about the rookie left-hander opener Matthew Renshaw:

1. Roots and beginnings

Matthew Renshaw was born on March 28, 1996 at Middlesbrough, Yorkshire. His family moved to New Zealand when he was just 7 years of age. Another 4 years later, his family eventually settled in Australia.

2. Connection with English star Joe Root

Renshaw is a family friend of English middle-order batsman Joe Root. His father played a few club matches alongside Joe Root’s father in Yorkshire.

3. Comparisons to Matthew Hayden

For the big burly built that he has, Renshaw is often compared to former Australian opener Matthew Hayden for his physical built.

4. Debut by chance

Renshaw got his U19 national call up accidentally. When the Australia’s U19 side were touring England in 2015, they needed a last minute replacement. South Australia’s Patrick Page suffered a toe injury. Matthew Renshaw, at that time, was visiting his family nearby. The management was quick to rope him in and hand him a U19 cap. He went on to score 69 off 108 balls to help his side win by 8 wickets.

5. Escalating up the ranks

Matthew Renshaw made rapid progress at the age groups as a young cricketer. No wonder he was drafted in the national U19 squad in the 2014-15 season. He played 6 matches at U19 level and hit 209 runs at an average of 52.25.

6. Making the First Class debut at 19 – a horrid show

Renshaw soon made his First Class debut for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield in the 2015 season against South Australia. He had a poor debut as he scored 6 and a golden duck across two innings.

7. Youngest to score Sheffield century for Queensland

When Renshaw hit 170 off 395 balls against New South Wales in Sheffield Shield 2015, he became the youngest batsman from Queensland to score a century in the tournament history.

8. Backing it with another one

In the very next match, he scored another century, 146, against the South Australian Redbacks to seize his spot in the Queensland Bulls side.

9. A power-packed season

He emerged as the leading run scorer in the domestic season 2015-16 for the Queensland Bulls. He amassed 738 runs at an average of 43.41 in his debut season to catch the eyes of the selectors.

10. Gutsy knock against touring South Africa A

Playing for Australia A, Matthew Renshaw struck a gutsy 94 against South Africa A. He batted with grit against a lineup that boasted of bowler like Vernon Philander.

11. Looking up to Alastair Cook

He admits that he can never be a hard hitter like David Warner. He is a big fan of England skipper Alastair Cook and absolutely enjoys watching the Englishman pile up runs in the longest format.

12. Second youngest in the national side

He is the second youngest player to make his Test debut for Australia after Late Phil Hughes. When he takes the field for Australia against South Africa in the day-night Test, he will become the 449th player to play Test cricket for Australia.

13. A family man

Matthew Renshaw is very close to his parents Ian and Alison Renshaw. They are his biggest supporters. His girlfriend Josie Harvey also mentioned after his selection in national side that Matt takes really good care of her.

14. Cricket not the first love

As a young kid, Matthew Renshaw had an inclination towards the game of soccer. At a young age, he had to undergo a knee surgery. Following the knee surgery, his interests gradually moved towards cricket.