29-year-old left-hander Matthew Renshaw has taken his place in the squad! He’s been named as a late call-up to Australia’s one-day international (ODI) squad for their series against India. The three-match series will be held in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney on October 19th, 23rd and 25th. Get ready to rumble as Renshaw makes his thrilling return to the international stage! His last appearance for the Socceroos was an unfortunate Test series in India back in February 2023.
During Australia’s previous Test series in India in 2017, Renshaw was made to endure a torrid baptism. He made 0, 2, and 2 in successive matches while occupying the five-hole. He was hampered by injury in that series but returned to form with some blistering displays for Australia A recently. In July, he had some List A success, scoring 80, 106 and 62 against Sri Lanka A in three matches. This very accomplished display of form will no doubt go a long way in seeing him included in the ODI squad.
Renshaw’s 14 Tests for Australia have already included some monumental highs and devastating lows. Since then he’s managed just 645 runs, at an average of 29.31 across 24 innings. He has never taken part in an Ashes series. Much to his disappointment, although chosen for the ODI squad to tour Pakistan early in 2022, he has yet to play in an ODI match. In his last game of Sheffield Shield cricket, he took a staggering 12 wickets in an innings. He made 128, his 25th first-class century giving further weight to his case for selection in Australia’s ODI series against India.
Aussie chair of selectors George Bailey perfectly summed up his selection of Renshaw in the squad. He echoed the importance of this series for helping set things up for the new international commitments that we will be facing.
“We have named a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series as there will be some management through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” – George Bailey.
Bailey stressed the team’s focus on ODI matches first. Simultaneously, they are going through the intense training regime to be Test match ready.
“However, we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test series ahead,” – George Bailey.
The ODIs against India represent Australia’s final international engagements before they set their sights on the highly anticipated Ashes series against England in the 2025-26 season. Now that Renshaw has returned to the fold, enthusiasm abounds. Observers, fans and selectors alike will be focused on how he performs on this new stage.
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