Australia were dealt with a heavy blow on Friday morning after middle-order batter Matt Renshaw injured his knee during the warm-up just before the start of second day’s play against India in the first Test. The visitors are already facing a lot of injury concerns with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ruled out of the match in Nagpur.
Renshaw had come into the team in place of Cameron Green, who is still recovering from a finger injury. The 26 year old left-handed batter failed to make any impact with the bat on Thursday as he was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja for a golden duck. The selection of Renshaw over Travis head was criticised by former Australian Cricketers.
According to a report on www.cricket.com.au
“The 26-year-old left the VCA Stadium on Friday morning to undergo scans, with Ashton Agar taking his place on the field as India batted in their first innings,” A Statement quoted on the website
Michael Clarke Confused Over Decision, Matt Renshaw Ahead Of Travis Head
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke criticised the team management over a massive selection gamble for the 1st test against India. Travis Head, the number four ranked batter in the world, had been left out of the Aussie team for the First Test.
“The only thing I can’t get my head around is the selectors, Pat Cummins, Andrew McDonald … why they dropped Travis Head?” Clarke said on Big Sports Breakfast
While the former skipper said he could understand putting Handscomb into the team at No. 5 ahead of Head at No. 6, it was the inclusion of Renshaw that baffled him
“The other thing, Travis Head bowls. He bowls right arm off spin. His bowling in India will be very, very handy. I’m so confused and bewildered by that decision, With only four bowlers, Travis Head as an all-rounder is a no-brainer for me.”
Many former Australian Cricketers including Steve Waugh and Matthew Hayden had expressed their disappointment over the decision to drop Travis Head, who is probably the best batter for Australia in the recently concluded South African Series.