Australia 4 for 454 (Renshaw 184, Warner 113, Handscomb 83*) v Pakistan
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Matt Renshaw added 17 to his overnight 167 before falling to Imran Khan © Getty Images
Pete Handscomb maintained his Test match honeymoon phase and Hilton Cartwright made a useful Australia debut after Matt Renshaw’s long occupation was finally ended by Pakistan on the second morning of the SCG Test.
Australia progressed steadily towards an enormous first innings tally against bowling that improved somewhat on the first day’s effort, though not helped by more indifferent fielding from the captain Misbah-ul-Haq down.
Renshaw’s innings, which seems to have set him up for a long and fruitful Test career, was the highest by an opening batsman under the age of 21, and was only ended by a fine over from Imran Khan, who moved the left-hander across the crease before prompting him to drag onto the stumps.
Handscomb meanwhile did not allow himself to be frustrated by periods of slow scoring, utilising the sweep in particular to excellent effect – a good sign ahead of the tour of India. Cartwright also showed patience, and showcased an organised technique with the exception of a couple of chances: a Yasir Shah legbreak that beat him but also the wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, and an edge off Azhar Ali’s part-timers that eluded Younis Khan at first slip.
There had been hope of Renshaw going past 200 when play began, and in the early overs it seemed there was little to stop him. It took Imran’s artful use of the crease and line to prompt the false stroke that brought his downfall, but he departed the ground with the applause of thousands ringing in his 20-year-old ears.
Cartwright arrived to face a first ball from Mohammad Amir, and stroked a full offering through cover with plenty of confidence. Thereafter he was somewhat becalmed and gave up the aforementioned chances, but a half-century stand in Handscomb’s capable company – he is presently averaging comfortably better than 100 in his fourth Test – was a more than useful start.
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo