Matthew Hayden impressed with Matt Renshaw's commitment ahead of India tour

Matt Renshaw in his 4-Test young career has already made an impression for himself. The Queensland left-hander has a more traditional approach and is an old school Test cricketer. His debut knock of 71 in the Pink Test against Pakistan at the Gabba in Brisbane showed how he was prepared and fit the bill for the team’s requirement and had the temperament to partner David Warner at the top. In only his 4th Test inning Renshaw scored a magnificent hundred and converted it into a big one and fell just 16 short of a maiden double ton.

Another Australian opener who has a special place for himself in the record books Matthew Hayden praised the 20-year-old and was way impressed by his debut knock against the Pink ball against the Pakistan pace bowling attack. “There are a lot of defining moments in Test match cricket and they’re not only about the hundreds you score, although he has done that,” Hayden told cricket.com.au.

“For me, weathering the storm as he did (in Adelaide) with eight or nine overs to go at the end of a long day of fielding, getting through that and setting up the side for next day, I think speaks a lot about the quality of Matty.

Renshaw isn’t a part of the BBL and thus is utilizing this time to prepare for the upcoming tour and that Hayden thinks is a great sign. “The fact that even now he’s looking forward to India, he’s creating opportunities with groundsmen to talk about different conditions, learning about the game and what he’s going to face in the next few months, they’re all really positive signs.

Also check out- Virat Kohli opts for a DRS decision without taking Dhoni’s advice and it was a review in vain

“I haven’t met Matty and I’m looking forward to the occasion when I do. You’re often judged on the number of runs, but I think those with an astute mind look at character and look at how you build your innings or how you build your position within the game. They’re all good signs. And I’m looking forward to the day when I get to have a chance to have a good yarn to him.”

Their next big Test is in India and that is not just on the field with the game they put up but also how they adjust to the conditions, wickets, and attack in the subcontinent. The batsmen will need their plans and come up with shots they haven’t yet played to succeed in India. “I don’t know his game intimately enough (to tell him to sweep), but you’ve got to have attacking options,” Hayden said of Renshaw. “I think you’re a duck waiting to be shot when you’re in a situation where you can’t attack. The conditions are relentless, they just keep coming at you and come at you a thousand miles an hour and you’re seemingly under pressure. So you’ve got to have that circuit-breaker.

“If his game is to sweep and he’s decided that’s an option, I would fully endorse that. There’s a certain technique which I’m sure he would have got advice for. Or if you’re someone like Peter Handscomb who can be back in the crease and play behind the ball all the time, that’s what someone like Sachin Tendulkar did. He’s also quick on his feet so he’s got the game, now he’s just got to put it into practice.”