Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden suggests that Matt Renshaw is the ideal candidate to fill the Test opener position after David Warner’s retirement. With Australia preparing to reveal their Test squad for the West Indies series on January 17, Renshaw faces competition from Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green, and Steven Smith for the opening role alongside Usman Khawaja.
Hayden emphasizes Renshaw’s left-handed approach and youthful potential, considering him as a long-term option despite not having Bancroft’s first-class performances. He believes Renshaw’s previous challenging conditions in India shouldn’t overshadow his capability, suggesting this could be the opportune time to groom a new opener.
“I feel like a left-handed opener in Renshaw is that person with age on his side. He maybe doesn’t have the performances of Bancroft at first-class cricket but in many ways, I just feel like he has shown what he can potentially do, and he has that longevity. With a banker like Khawaja, given the form, maybe it’s time to look to the future and groom that individual,” Hayden said.
Hayden, with his own prolific Test career, advises against moving Smith to open against the West Indies, aligning with the sentiments expressed by captain Pat Cummins and head coach Andrew McDonald. Meanwhile, former Test skipper Michael Clarke predicts that Smith could become the best Test opener within a year and potentially break Brian Lara’s world record for the highest individual score in a Test match.
