CANBERRA: Matt Rens­haw hit an unbeaten 136 against Pakistan in a timely reminder to Australian selectors Friday of his credentials to take over from David Warner when the veteran quits Test cricket.

The 27-year-old Renshaw resumed day three for the Prime Minister’s XI on 18 and patiently compiled his century from 251 balls.

It helped steer the home side to 367-4 at stumps in Canberra, 24 runs behind Pakistan, who declared at 391-9 on the back of skipper Shan Masood’s 201 not out.

The four-day match at Manuka Oval has been billed as a “bat-off” to replace the opener Warner, with Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris also in contention.

Warner has indicated he plans to quit the longer format after the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January.

Bancroft and Harris got the nod to open ahead of Renshaw, but failed to build big scores, out for 53 and 49 respectively.

Renshaw, who has been in and out of Australia’s side in a 14-Test career across seven years, grabbed his chance at number three, cracking eight fours and a six.

Outside of a 10-minute period where he hoisted Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed for two fours and a huge six, Renshaw played a particularly defensive innings at number three that has seen him face 335 balls.

All-rounder Cameron Green (46) played some nice shots early, but reached at a wide Faheem Ashraf delivery and was caught behind just as a big score beckoned.

Spectators at Manuka Oval perhaps were given a preview of a future Australian leader, with 24-year-old Nathan McSweeney playing some exquisite square drives on the way to his 40.

A brilliant diving catch from Mir Hamza denied him the chance for a statement score.

ABRAR WALKS OFF

Pakistan had rested first-choice pace bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim, and spinner Abrar exited the tour match on Friday nursing what appeared to be an injured calf muscle.

If Pakistan wish to select a specialist spinner in Perth, they may need to pick 37-year-old Noman Ali who also sat out the tour match.

According to an update issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board, Abrar complained of discomfort in his right leg after bowling eight overs on the day. As a result, the 25-year-old was taken off the field.

Following his complaint, Abrar was sent for a MRI scan. Further details, the PCB said, will be shared in due course, after the medical panel assess the MRI reports.

Abrar has bowled a total of 27 overs so far in the game against Prime Minister’s XI. The four-day game was scheduled as part of Pakistan’s preparation ahead of their three-match Test series against Australia, which is set to take place from December 14 to January 7.

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN (1st Innings) 391-9 decl (Shan Masood 201 not out; J. Buckingham 5-80)

PRIME MINISTER XI (1st Innings):

C. Bancroft lbw b Khurram53

M. Harris c Khurram b Abrar49

M. Renshaw not out136

C. Green c Sarfraz b Faheem46

N. McSweeney c Hamza b Imam40

B. Webster not out21

EXTRAS (B-9, LB-5, NB-8)22

TOTAL (for four wkts, 141 overs)367

STILL TO BAT: J. Peirson, N. McAndrew, T. Murphy, M. Steketee, J. Buckingham

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-96 (Harris), 2-112 (Bancroft), 3-198 (Green), 4-318 (McSweeney)

BOWLING: Hamza 22-3-52-0, Khurram 23-4-50-1 (1nb), Abrar 27-2-80-1, Faheem 23-6-57-1 (2nb), Aamer 21-3-72-0 (5nb), Babar 1-0-1-0, Saud 15-2-29-0, Imam 9-3-12-1.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2023