Matthew Renshaw’s influence on Australian cricket is stretching beyond his first Test heroics in South Africa, with breakout one-day gun Hugh Weibgen shedding light on how the reborn batsman has shaped his own international ambitions.
As Renshaw spearheaded the nation to a 214-run victory, Weibgen was pushing his credentials for a shock 2027 World Cup berth – striking back-to-back centuries for Queensland in the unfamiliar position of opener, as he seeks to turn his hyped talent into a dominant career.
The 21-year-old’s first ton of the summer came against a New South Wales attack boasting Australian limited overs stars Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis, while his second against Western Australia anchored the Bulls’ innings of 261 to inspire a 15-run win.
Australia currently sits fourth in the ODI rankings, however their form in the 50-over game has been patchy at best, winning just four of 12 series since their 2023 World Cup triumph in India.
Only one Australian – Travis Head – is within the world’s top-20 ranked batsmen (17), as the nation hunts for its winning formula following the retirements of Steve Smith, David Warner and Glenn Maxwell from the XI who claimed the trophy.
Weibgen, who led the nation to Under-19s World Cup glory in 2024, told this masthead he would not look too far ahead, despite selectors showing a willingness to throw younger men into the fray – headlined by Ollie Peake, who has played more one-day cricket for Australia than his state Victoria (eight of 15 total games).
“Obviously, you dream to play for Australia one day, so you think about that, but I haven’t really given it too much thought. I’m just trying to win games for Queensland, and if I can do that, I’m sure that will take care of itself,” he said.
But Weibgen revealed it was Renshaw’s recommendation to link him with the same psychologist who has helped inspire his own ascent to an Australian three-format player which has laid the foundations for the rookie to propel himself towards being in the conversation for higher honours.
Renshaw has previously stressed the key to his resurgence across the short and long cricket codes stemmed from a more relaxed outlook to his game, with life off the pitch more stable than when he was younger and in a mental bubble pushing for greater success.
That new outlook has coincided with T20 international selection and ODI success (including a maiden century against Zimbabwe last month), before culminating in his match-winning 190 and 82 in the first South Africa Test.
It was a lesson his fellow Brisbane Grammar School alumnus was eager to take on board, who has since consulted Stuart Smith “a couple of times a week” for the past year-and-a-half.
“I put lots of time into batting, bowling and fielding, and those things like recovery, but I probably didn’t have that consistent mental training. I was already thinking of going down that route, and then simply asked Rens if he saw someone, and he flicked me through the details,” Weibgen said.
“It’s helping me unlock the most positive version of myself whilst I’m batting. I guess having other stuff go on in my life, it’s always good for me to find that balance. I’m always on the side of cricket is everything, but having that balance has been a lot better and probably healthier.
“But the big focus is how can I improve in that batting side of things and deal with the highs and lows and try stay nice and level.”
A self-confessed cricket tragic who actively seeks out his childhood idol Mike Hussey whenever he is nearby, Weigben’s determination to cement himself as a future linchpin of Australian cricket meant he barely had an off season. A winter spent playing club cricket in England was followed by his inclusion in a development tour to India as he sought to hone his craft.
Those experiences supported two development areas. In the UK, he took a more positive, attacking approach to his batting, while in India, he broadened his stroke play – including “a couple of sweep shots” – to improve his prospects against spin bowling.
While the World Cup is still 12 months away, and the right-hander is still very much in the fledgling stages of his career, Weigben sensed the conditions he had been exposed to would pave the way to become a more consistent contributor in Bulls – and ideally, Australian – colours.
“Being put in different positions, batting in different spots in the order and different conditions all helps add to your craft, learning your own game plan and what you need to do in different situations,” he said.
“All those experiences have definitely helped me.”
Queensland faces South Australia in the One-Day Cup from 10am AEST on Thursday.
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