Renshaw courts Hayden’s advice
Australia opener Matt Renshaw has sough out the advice of former opener Matthew Hayden ahead of the upcoming away Test series against India.
Hayden was hugely successful in India largely due to his ability and willingness to sweep the India spinners, something Renshaw will looke to mimic.
Renshaw spoke to the media in Dubai as Australia gear up for the series: “I’ve had a couple of conversations with him [Hayden] over the phone and he told me to embrace it over there and get as much experience as I can.
“I’m 20 years old and I’m going to one of the hardest places to play in the world, so I’m trying to embrace it and enjoy the challenge.”
Renshaw hopes that his height will give him an advantage when sweeping: “The sweep will be a big one for me and trying to stay slow and use my reach as a tall bloke.
“I’ve got that advantage over some of the other guys.
“I can probably get to the balls which are going to turn a bit better than the short guys without moving my feet too much.
“So I’ll try and use that to my advantage as much as possible.”
The team has been training at the ICC Academy hoping to use the experience to adjust to Asian conditions better than on their last trip to the subcontinent where they were whitewashed by Sri Lanka.
Renshaw added: “The pitches here at the ICC Academy have been great since we arrived.
“There are been some turning wickets and some low ones for the seamers.
“It’s the best preparation for India without going to India.
“I’ve been trying to work on different plans, we’ve got Graeme Hick and Sriram and we’re trying to replicate what will happen over there.”
Renshaw is confident that Australia can learn from the England team’s loss in India and perform better than their old rivals.
He said: “I’ve watched a bit of the England series, trying to work out what their spinners were trying to do, but we probably forget they have quick bowlers as well.
“Reverse swing will come on a fair bit over there.”
The first Test will get underway in Pune on February 23.
Latest
-
NewsSachin Tendulkar thanks medical staff after returning home from hospital
Tendulkar was admitted to hospital last week after revealing he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been in quarantine at home.
-
NewsNew Zealand name squad for their Test tour of England
New Zealand have named a 20-player squad for their tour of England, with three uncapped prospects in the group.
-
NewsJamie Porter hoping for England call after picking James Anderson’s brain
Porter was close to his England debut against India three years ago but has fallen down the pecking order.
-
NewsICC Rankings: Fakhar Zaman on the charge in ODIs
Fakhar Zaman has scored back-to-back ODI centuries in South Africa and is in red-hot form.
-
NewsICC pressing ahead with plans for T20 World Cup in India despite Covid-19 spike
Acting chief executive Geoff Allardice says the ICC is “not anywhere near” activating any contingency plans.
-
NewsMatt Parkinson takes positives from England tour despite lack of game time
Parkinson did not see competitive action in Sri Lanka or India.
-
NewsPonting sheds light on Smith’s Delhi Capitals role
Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting has given some insight into where Steve Smith would fit into his side.
-
News
Akhtar ‘wouldn’t call De Kock a cheat’ but run-out not in the ‘spirit of cricket’
Shoaib Akhtar has had his say on Quinton de Kock’s controversial actions during the run-out of Fakhar Zaman.
-
NewsSarah Taylor set for playing comeback in The Hundred with Welsh Fire
Taylor put her cricketing career on hold in September 2019 when announcing her international retirement.
-
NewsEoin Morgan believes there is still room for all three formats
England 50-over World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan...