Matt Renshaw in a 'really good place' as he prepares for Australia Test return

Matt Renshaw in a 'really good place' as he prepares for Australia Test return

The left-handed batter has been summoned to a wounded Australia side, in place of the dropped Jake Weatherald, for the second Test against Tigers after the hosts suffered a shock defeat in the series opener.

The 30-year-old won the most recent of his 14 Test caps in February 2023, certainly not living up to expectations after making his debut in the longest format against South Africa in 2016.

Renshaw is now set to open the batting with Travis Head and wicketkeeper Alex Carey believes a more "matured" player will make the most of his opportunity on the back of some good form in domestic first-class cricket for Queensland last season.

"Renners is in a really good place mentally and his cricket is showing that," Carey said. "He has got a young family now and he has played some (international) white-ball cricket (recently), so he has been around the group a fair bit the last couple of years.

"Every challenge that has come his way he has really stood up to it. I'm looking forward to seeing Renners out there alongside Trav.

"Renners has definitely matured as a cricketer, as you do when you move into your 30s as you learn a lot about yourself, the game and the challenges that come with that.

"He got the balance between attack and defence and opens the batting for Queensland in Sheffield Shield cricket. There has been a lot made about the wickets produced the last couple of years so for him to score three hundreds last season (shows) he has got the game for all conditions."

The 34-year-old Carey is set to play his 50th Test, having been the number one gloveman in Australia, and arguably in the world, since he made his Test debut against England 2021.

Carey believes the Australia side will put in the work as they look to atone for their nine-wicket defeat in the first Test in Darwin last week with second Test scheduled to start in Mackay on Saturday.

"We're a proud group of cricketers, and obviously last week didn't go to plan," Carey said. "We've reflected, we've talked about it – we always have those conversations in real time as well, (we) didn't have to wait until after the game to have those conversations.

"If I can say anything, when this team's been challenged, we always find a way to bounce back in a big way. I'm looking forward to Saturday."

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