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Khawaja praises baggy green bolter Renshaw

Usman Khawaja may not be interested in Test speculation about his own spot but he could not stop talking up Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw.

Australian batsman Usman Khawaja
Speculation about his own Test career no longer interests Usman Khawaja. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Speculation about his own Test career no longer interests Usman Khawaja.

But it did not stop the incumbent Australian batsman talking up Queensland teammate Matt Renshaw ahead of next week's day-night third Test against South Africa in Adelaide.

Test No.3 Khawaja cemented his spot for the pink ball clash with an entertaining 106 for the Bulls against South Australia at the Gabba on Thursday.

At stumps on day one of their Sheffield Shield clash, the Bulls were 5-338 after South Australia won the toss.

Not that Khawaja had been distracted by Test talk.

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"That has absolutely zero bearing for me," the classy left-hander said.

"When I play for Queensland I will do anything I can to win - the rest will take care of itself.

"I don't really worry about that stuff anymore."

But Khawaja couldn't help but wax lyrical about Renshaw after the England-born opener emerged as an outsider to wear the baggy green in Adelaide.

Renshaw, just 20, made 108 in a 184-run second wicket stand with Khawaja.

It was his third first class ton in just his second full time Shield season for the Bulls - but perhaps his most important.

National selector Mark Waugh claimed anyone who hit "150 or 100" in Shield action this week would be considered for the Adelaide dead rubber.

"He's a really good player," Khawaja said of Renshaw.

"He was slow (scoring) at the start but then caught up beautifully in the end.

"He's got a few gears which is nice to see.

"I think he will score a lot of runs in the future."

Renshaw certainly showed the fight national captain Steve Smith craved during their second Test capitulation to the Proteas.

He took 24 balls to get off the mark and 78 to make double figures.

Then Renshaw made up for lost time.

In the end he hit six fours and four sixes - clearing the fence each time against legspinner Adam Zampa (3-92 off 21 overs).

"It blunts their attack and makes fast bowlers bowl a lot of overs," Khawaja said of Renshaw's patience.

"It may not be the most entertaining stuff but it is what wins you games."

Renshaw's heroics were just what Queensland needed after losing Test opener Joe Burns for just four in the sixth over.

"After losing Burnsy we just tried to get through to lunch and set the day up," Khawaja said.


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