Test cricket great Steve Waugh is calling on Australia’s selectors to stop “messing around” and “pick and stick” at the top of the batting order.
That includes keeping first Test hero Matt Renshaw, who made 190 and 82 in Durban to set up Australia’s 214-run win in the three-match series, in the middle order.
“They need a consistent line-up,” Waugh said.
After suffering an embarrassing nine-wicket loss to Bangladesh in August to kick-start Australia’s marathon 12 months of cricket, Pat Cummins’ men continued their resurgence on Tuesday by taking down the world Test champions in Durban.
The outstanding victory came despite some day one wobbles, where the visitors slumped to 6-124 before Renshaw batted superbly with the tail to register his second Test century – and first in almost a decade – to set up the win. The 30-year-old faced 397 deliveries during his 190.
Despite several teammates getting starts in the second innings, including Nic Maddinson (48), Marnus Labuschagne (37) and Beau Webster (39 not out), the big Queenslander was again the only Australian to pass 50.
Following the Test, Cummins said Australia’s brains trust, including coach Andrew McDonald and selectors, would continue to be flexible with the top seven. That included the possibility of Renshaw moving up to the top of the order and either Travis Head or Maddinson sliding down to No.5.
“We’re always big on how the order functions as a whole,” Cummins said. “Seeing the way that he played spin in the one-day series led me to the thought [that] he would look pretty good at No.5.
“Give us a few days, we’ll look at the conditions of the next Test and whether that’s still the case. I mean, it’s got to be pretty compelling to move him from there. But we’ve seen Travis Head down at No.5 as well — [he] can do a job.”
Cummins added: “I think bringing Maddo in, we really like the idea of bringing that flexibility. That unlocks a lot – Trav back to No.5, Renners down at No.5, even Maddo himself at No.5. We haven’t had that option the last few years where we feel like we’ve got plenty of options at the top. You know we’re very big on that flexibility.”
But Waugh said the time for tinkering was over, especially given there were crunch series – five Tests in India and an Ashes series in England – in the next 12 months.
“We’ve been messing around with the top order for the last couple of years and it hasn’t worked, so they’ve got to pick and stick now,” he said.
Having earned the reputation as Australia’s “Ice Man” during his illustrious career, Waugh said he was particularly impressed by Renshaw’s application in Durban.
“It was an outstanding win,” Waugh said. “And great to see some old-fashioned Test match batting from Renshaw. I think he led the way – the old values of shot selection and patience and determination – and it was great to see some Test match batting like that. It was fantastic.
“I think the other guys will follow the way he batted. I think it’s a great role model for not only our team, but for world cricket – how to be successful in Test matches.”
Asked whether Renshaw should stay in the middle order – where Waugh made his name during a 168-Test career that produced 10,927 runs at an average of 51.06 – the former captain said he would not change a winning formula.
“It’s obviously a career-defining moment for him and could be the catalyst for great things going forward,” Waugh said. “Don’t mess around with that now. He’s been successful, and he’s comfortable, so I’d keep him there for sure.”
As for Maddinson, whose 38-ball 48 got Australia off to a flyer in the second innings following his painful 33-ball first-innings duck, Waugh admitted it was a “left-field selection” to recall the 34-year-old, but hoped he continued to build a case for selection.
“I wanted to see him get runs. He’s in the team now. Let’s hope he can get some runs,” Waugh said.
The second Test starts on Sunday at St George’s Park, Gqeberha.