If the opinion of Australian Test cricket great Adam Gilchrist were to be given credence, it would pay to keep an eye on Matt Renshaw during the Ashes.
Gilchrist feels that Renshaw has the ability to wait for the proper moment in a game between evenly matched teams, something that could prove decisive.
Gilchrist was obviously speaking about England, as of late, that seems the only side where the term “evenly matched” is apropos.
Talking with The courier-Mail, Gilchrist said, “We are expecting big things from Smith and Warner but Renshaw is the sleeping giant,’’ Gilchrist said at the Gabba. “He can play a really critical role this summer. If he can bat time and occupy the crease like he has shown strong glimpses of this summer that will allow the batting order to bat around him.’’
Renshaw should be anxious to produce a good showing at the Ashes, as he has familial connections to northern England.
There are ten years on the clock since Gilchrist played the last of his 96 Tests, but his contributions live on. He set the standard that persists to this day that finds Australia and other countries reluctant to employ a keeper who cannot carry his weight with the bat. He recorded 17 tons and had an average of 47.6.
Gilchrist is the reason that Peter Nevill and Matthew Wade are under such scrutiny to produce with both bat and gloves.
Yet, Gilchrist has some reservations about the current obsession with the batting prowess of the glovemen. “I have concerns the next three Shield games that all the scrutiny on the wicketkeepers will be how many runs they score,’’ he said.
Gilchrist was diplomatic concerning which player will were the gloves for the English Test, but leaned toward Wade somewhat when he mentioned that he would have no fuss if Wade is kept (heh, heh).
