Test hopefuls get chance to stake claim

Queensland opener Matthew Renshaw is among a batch of batsmen hoping to push their Test selection claims in the next round of Sheffield Shield matches.

Matthew Renshaw of Queensland bats in Brisbane

Queensland's Matthew Renshaw is pragmatic about facing NSW's Test-strength bowling attack. (AAP)

Queensland opener Matthew Renshaw will face a particularly stern challenge in his latest Test audition from Friday.

The left-hander will open for the Bulls in a Sheffield Shield match against a NSW bowling attack that's also Australia's Test line-up: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.

The next Shield round is vital for batsmen pushing their claims to gain selection for Australia's Test series against India, which starts on December 6.

Renshaw is among candidates including Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Peter Handscomb seeking to boost their claims with substantial Shield scores.

"I don't think you can really control what goes on selection-wise," Renshaw told reporters on Thursday.

"If it happens, it happens. If not, it doesn't.

"It's out of my control. I have just got to score as many runs as I can."

Renshaw was pragmatic about facing NSW's Test-strength bowling attack.

"You can't put anyone on a pedestal," he said.

"They're obviously a good bowling attack. We have just got to face that Kookaburra (ball) coming down at us ... just worry about that ball coming down at me and trying to bat as long as I can.

"As an opener it's going to be tough against the new ball. It always is."

Renshaw made 89 in Queensland's last Shield game against Western Australia.

"I was just able to bat ... I just felt really rhythmical and not even thinking too much about batting," he said.

"Just really enjoying it and having a smile on my face and a song in my head and it all seemed to click."

South Australia meet Western Australia in Adelaide from Friday in a fixture featuring Test incumbents Mitch Marsh and Travis Head.

Tasmania host a Victorian team including Test hopeful Handscomb from Saturday in Hobart.


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Source: AAP


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