Green returns to Test team as Renshaw named reserve batsman

The Queenslander has batted in the middle order five times during his 14 Tests, mostly in India, his most recent scores were 0, 2 and 2 during last year’s tour.

On pure statistics Bancroft can consider himself unlucky, having dominated the Sheffield Shield for the last season and a half. His 1457 runs at 58 with six centuries is way beyond anyone else in the competition.

Since the beginning of last season Harris has 883 Shield runs at 35 with three hundreds, although he scored a century for a Victorian XI against Pakistan in a pre-Christmas tour match. He is the only one of the trio with a Cricket Australia contract and was the reserve batsman on last year’s Ashes tour. Renshaw was also a reserve for the first two Tests.

Renshaw is ranked 23rd on the list of Shield runs scores during that period with 658 runs at 39, including two hundreds, but scored a century for Australia A against Pakistan in a tour match early last month.

As a Test opening batsman he has the best record of the trio. Renshaw has the only Test century from the 38 Tests they have played between them – 184 against Pakistan in 2017 – and his average of 33 at the top of the order compares favourably with Harris and Bancroft in the mid-20s.

Loading

The selectors have also named a revamped one-day squad to play the West Indies in February to be captained by Steve Smith. West Australian fast bowler Lance Morris has been included for what is expected to be his international debut.

Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins will be rested following the Test Series against Pakistan and the West Indies. Aaron Hardie, Matt Short, Jhye Richardson and Nathan Ellis return to the squad. Josh Inglis returns as Australia’s white ball wicketkeeper.

Sports news, results and expert commentary.Sign up for our Sport newsletter.