Renshaw's Durban runs strengthen case for middle-order role
Pat Cummins says conditions will guide Australia's batting order for the second Test, with changes between innings also possible.
Matt Renshaw's innings of 190 and 82 in Australia's 214-run victory over South Africa in Durban have raised the bar for moving him back to opening, with Pat Cummins saying any switch would need strong justification.
Australia placed Renshaw at No.5 when Nic Maddinson was recalled to open. Renshaw finished with the match's two highest scores, becoming the first Australian to achieve that in four years. Maddinson scored 48 in the second innings after a duck that lasted 33 balls in the first.
Cummins said Renshaw's play against spin in the one-day series had influenced his thinking about a middle-order role. He said Australia would assess conditions before deciding on the batting order for the second Test, and could make adjustments between innings.
While Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne are settled at No.4 and No.3 respectively, Cummins said Renshaw, Travis Head and Maddinson could exchange positions. He also said Renshaw remained capable of succeeding as an opener.
Josh Inglis could be available for the Gqeberha Test. He has resumed batting in the nets after returning to South Africa following a fractured finger. Cameron Green is still with the squad, having been ruled out of the Durban match by an abdominal strain. Both had been preferred to Maddinson before being injured; including either would likely mean an opening role for Renshaw.
