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Former Test star dropped from domestic team

Australian Associated Press
·2-min read

Former Test opener Matthew Renshaw has been axed from Queensland's Sheffield Shield team.

The Bulls resume their Shield campaign against Tasmania at the Gabba on Friday, but Renshaw will not be part of a top six featuring Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and Joe Burns.

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The demotion comes as somewhat of a shock in the context of Renshaw having been a part of national selectors' early Ashes tour discussions during the previous summer.

Renshaw, who has been linked with Adelaide Strikers, also notably tallied 348 runs to finish second only to Chris Lynn on Brisbane Heat's run-scoring charts for the recent BBL season.

Matthew Renshaw looks on during the Big Bash League. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Matthew Renshaw looks on during the Big Bash League. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

But the left-hander's modest Shield tally of 182 runs at 20.22, coming from 10 innings in the first half of the season, has cost him a spot in the XI.

Opener Bryce Street, who made his first-class debut this season and scored a century against Western Australia in November, has been preferred ahead of Renshaw.

Renshaw has played 11 Tests, the most recent coming when he was parachuted into the XI at the Wanderers following the Cape Town saga of 2018.

Matthew Renshaw of the Heat bats during the Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Stars at Metricon Stadium on December 20, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia.
Matthew Renshaw of the Heat bats during the Big Bash League match between the Brisbane Heat and the Melbourne Stars at Metricon Stadium on December 20, 2019 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

The 23-year-old was part of the squad that faced Pakistan later that year during Justin Langer's first Test series in charge, but suffered a tour-game concussion in the UAE and hasn't been able to force his way back into the XI since.

The Dukes ball will be used in the second half of the Shield season, as per recent seasons.

Queenslander Michael Neser, who was a regular in the Test squad during 2019 but is yet to be presented with a baggy green, is among the many pacemen who should enjoy bowling with it.

Queensland 12-man squad: Bryce Street, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja (capt), Sam Heazlett, Jack Wildermuth, James Peirson, Cameron Gannon, Michael Neser, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Nathan McSweeney (12th man to be named at the toss).