Renshaw suffers knock in tour game
Australia have suffered an injury scare ahead of their two-Test series against Pakistan, with Matthew Renshaw copping a nasty head knock in their four-day tour match in Dubai.
Renshaw was being monitored by medical staff on Sunday morning (local time) after he left the field following a blow to the helmet in Australia's warm-up game against Pakistan A.
Fielding at short leg to off-spinner Nathan Lyon, Renshaw was hit in the side of the helmet by a powerful pull shot from Pakistan A batsman Abid Ali.
The fact the ball ricocheted high into the air to offer Tim Paine a simple catch and Nathan Lyon his sixth wicket of the innings was cold consolation for the Australians, who gathered around Renshaw to check on his well-being.
The 22-year-old pulled his helmet off immediately after the blow and sat with his head in his hands, before Paine helped him to his feet as medical staff came on the field to inspect the damage.
Renshaw was able to walk off the field alongside the team doctor before going into the ICC Academy change rooms for further checks.
Renshaw is not expected to bat in Australia's first innings. A short time after the incident, Pakistan A were dismissed for 278 and Usman Khawaja was moved up to open in Renshaw’s place alongside Aaron Finch. Lyon finished with eight wickets.
Lyon shines on opening day of tour
Australia were awaiting a verdict from the International Cricket Council on whether a substitute is permitted to bat in Renshaw's place. The tour match has official first-class status.
Renshaw had fielded at short leg for the majority of Pakistan A's first innings, with spinners Lyon and Jon Holland bowling the lion's share of the overs.
Renshaw has a history of concussions, with his most recent one coming in a bizarre warm-up incident on the morning of a JLT Sheffield Shield match for Queensland in March. He was subbed out of the game but the injury was not serious.
The opening batsman was also withdrawn from 2017 New Year's Test in Sydney against Pakistan having been first hit by a bouncer while batting before copping another blow while fielding at short leg two days later.
Renshaw took a catch fielding at short leg on Saturday's first day off Lyon to remove Usman Salahuddin.
The incident on Sunday was an unfortunate end to Abid's innings, who batted superbly to keep the Aussies at bay on a turning pitch for almost all of the first day.
While rebound catches off a fielder’s helmet were not previously permitted, the ICC amended the rules last year to make them legal so as not to discourage players from wearing helmets while fielding in close.
Qantas Tour of the UAE
Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc
Sep 29 - Oct 2: Tour match v Pak A, Dubai
Oct 7-11: First Test, Dubai
Oct 16-20: Second Test, Abu Dhabi
https://www.cricket.com.au/news/mat...a-v-pakistan-test-series-tour-game/2018-09-30
. Can't even get a simple selection right.
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