Renshaw to replace banned Bancroft at Somerset

Cricket365
April 12, 2018

Somerset County Cricket Club have announced the signing of Australia opener Matt Renshaw as an overseas player for the 2018 season.

The Australian Test batsman, joining the Club as a replacement for Cameron Bancroft who is suspended, will arrive on April 13th and will be available to play until June 30th.

He will then return to Somerset on August 19th and remain with the team until the end of the season.

Renshaw will be in contention to play in both County Championship and the Royal London One-Day Cup competitions and could feature for the Club in the opening fixture of the season against Worcestershire at the Cooper Associates County Ground which begins on April 20th.

The 22-year-old, who was born in Yorkshire, has featured in 11 Tests for Australia, scoring over 630 runs at an average of 33.47. In just his fourth Test he made a remarkable 184 against Pakistan, the highest score for Australia by a player so young.

In total he has featured in 36 First Class games and amassed over 2500 runs at an average 39.40.

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After securing the signing, Somerset Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry said: “It has been important for us to act swiftly, but to remain pragmatic in identifying the best fit for our needs and I am delighted that we have signed Matt.

“Coming to us off the back of a title winning Sheffield Shield season and having made a number of significant contributions with the bat, including three hundred’s in the last five games, he will be arriving with us with a huge amount of confidence.

“He is a player who is highly driven to succeed and has demonstrated the ability to bat for long periods of time, but he also has the ability to move through the gears.

“He is a player of quality, is on an upward trajectory and we feel that he will certainly flourish in our environment.”

After completing his move to Somerset, Matt Renshaw said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to play alongside some very experienced players and the exciting young talent that is coming through at Taunton.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Club and I understand that I will be following in the footsteps of some outstanding Australian batsmen. It will be a new challenge for me but it’s one that I’m really looking forward to.”