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A welcome throwback to the times of typical openers, who blunted bowling attacks with their defenses and patience, Matt Renshaw (born 28 March 1996) is a classic example in Australia at the moment. In a breakout 2015-16 season, at the age of 19, he emerged as Queensland's leading run scorer in the Sheffield Shield with 738 runs at an average of 43.41. It also included a patient knock of 170 in trying conditions which made him the youngest Queensland batsman to score a century in the history of the Shield. It eventually took him to the Australia A squad and he responded with a half-century against South Africa A. It came as no surprise that when the selectors decided to go in for an injection of fresh blood into the side during the third Test against South Africa, he was the one who made the cut to partner David Warner replacing fellow Queenslander, Joe Burns. He impressed soon after in his second Test scoring a well-compiled 71 at the top of the order against Pakistan at the Gabba and followed it up with a knock of 184 at Sydney – breaking the record for the highest score by an Australian that young. While Renshaw had an easy introduction at home, his real Test was to come on Australia's four-Test tour of India in February-March, 2017. It was one series that promised to test his skills - both on the physical as well as the mental side of the game. Renshaw started well, notching up half-centuries in the first two Tests, but petered out as the series progressed. Nevertheless, he left the critics impressed with his ability to play the long innings. Australia may have finally found the ideal batsman to play the anchor with David Warner - focused and determined, offering dogged resistance. He scored his maiden Test century against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in his 4th Test match, which turned out to be a match-winning knock. However, his 71 in the Gabba Test, in seaming and testing conditions, was more impressive, and demonstrated that he truly belonged at the highest level. He also holds the distinction of becoming the first Australian player to score 500 runs before turning 21. If Renshaw stays true to his initial promise, Australia have found a perfect opener for years to come - because gritty, skeptical openers are a dying breed. Interesting Facts: Renshaw was born in Yorkshire and was a family friend of current England Test captain Joe Root. Renshaw holds a British passport and was born in Yorkshire. His family migrated to New Zealand when he was 7 and they moved to Australia when he was 10.
