Cummins adheres to flexibility despite Renshaw’s runs

Pat Cummins thinks Australia must retain the flexibility to reshuffle their batting order despite Matthew Renshaw making a strong case for the number five position with a match aggregate of 272 runs in the first Test against South Africa in Durban.

“Give us a few days, we’ll look at the conditions of the next Test. I mean, it’s got to be pretty compelling to move Renshaw from there,” Cummins the captain said. “But we’ve seen Travis Head down at No. 5 as well. We’re always working out the six batters, or seven plus and how is that going to function as a whole? So, if anything, I still think Renshaw can be a great opener, and now he’s got another string to his bow that he’s found this week.”

“We’re pretty certain that we like Marnus Labuschagne at No. 3, Smithy at No. 4, and then, the six and seven felt pretty locked up. I think bringing in Nic Maddinson, we really like the idea of bringing that flexibility, that unlocks a lot such as Travis back to No. 5, Renners down to No. 5, even Maddo himself at five. We haven’t had that option in the last few years where we feel like we’ve got plenty of options at the top.”

Renshaw bats the Australians into a position of power