Renshaw claims Ashes on day one of the “A” Tour

Matthew Renshaw has responded strongly to his ax during the Test Tour of India by dominating the opening day of the Australia A Tour of New Zealand.

After rain washed away the entire first session at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, the Queensland opener was sent at bat and ended day one unbeaten on 92 balls from 140 as New Zealand A struggled to score on the green-colored wicket to stop.

Renshaw, who played the first Test in India and replaced David Warner in the second as a concussion substitute before being ruled out of the XI for the final two games of the Border Gavaskar series, shattered 12 fours and a six and will be in sight tomorrow resumed of an 18th century first class.

The visitors ended the first day 1-155 from 44 overs, with Tim Ward also unbeaten with 38 overs when lengthening autumn shadows brought play to a halt due to poor light.

“It’s really weird times for me right now, I feel like I haven’t really had much of a racquet since the big bash … just four bashes ago was the big bash,” Renshaw said after stumps.

“That’s how cricket can be sometimes, so it’s nice to be back in the middle, scoring runs and just having fun batting.”

The 27-year-old put up 42 for the first wicket with Western Australian prodigy Teague Wyllie, who was favored at the top of the standings over Tasmanian opener Tim Ward.

It was a move that perhaps shows national selectors have their eye on the future, as 18-year-old Wyllie has struggled at No. 3 for WA this season, having spent his entire junior career, including for Australia at the last year’s U19 World Cup.

“I feel like if you can hit at three or open you can hit anywhere, so it was just the team lineup and the way the selectors wanted to go about it,” Renshaw said.

“If you lose the throw and bat, that’s just a really good opportunity to test yourself at those wickets.

“We probably would have bowled first if we had won the throw, but it’s a really fun challenge on a green wicket with a Dukes ball facing an SG ball that’s not over your knee after six to seven weeks in India jumps, it was a nice change and challenge to come here.”

Scott Kuggeleijn, one of the six internationals in the New Zealand A XI, gave the home side their only opening day win when he caught Wyllie in the gully for 14.

But Kuggeleijn (1-49) also proved expensive, conceding 4.9 runs per over, including 18 from his ninth over when Renshaw smashed a six and two fours.

Ajaz Patel, another Black Cap representative in the A squad, also coped with the treatment with 20 runs from his four overs.

Play resumes on day two at the earlier start time of 7am AEST, with Renshaw having eight runs a century ago.

Series New Zealand A vs Australia A

First 4-day match: April 1-4, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

Second four-day game: April 8-11, Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln

Both games will be streamed live on nzc.nz.

Squad Australia A: Wes Agar, Xavier Bartlett, Jordan Buckingham, Aaron Hardie, Caleb Jewell, Spencer Johnson, Campbell Kellaway, Nathan McSweeney, Mitch Perry, Jimmy Pierson, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Tim Ward, Teague Wyllie

New Zealand A squad: Tom Bruce (c), Adi Ashok, Doug Bracewell, Henry Cooper, Jacob Duffy (Game 1 only), Dean Foxcroft, Cam Fletcher, Mitch Hay, Scott Kuggeleijn, Cole McConchie, Robbie O’Donnell, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel , Brett Randell, Sean Solia