PUNE:It must not have happened many times in cricket history. A batsman does well in testing conditions and at the end of the day, gets questioned on his compulsion to leave the ground and answer nature’s call.
That was Matt Renshaw’s first day in Test cricket in India. Waiting to speak to media following an accomplished effort, the opener first heard an Australian journalist ask India’s batting coach Sanjay Bangar a question on this. When his turn came to take the microphone, almost all queries were related to this.
It was in the 28th over of the day, after David Warner got out, when Renshaw was seen speaking to the incoming Steve Smith. They exchanged a few words, the opener signalled towards the next man to come in and went rushing in. Officially declared retired hurt, the batsman was unable to control the urge to go to toilet.
“Smith wasn’t thrilled when I told him. But I guess he understands that when you need to go to the toilet, you got to go to the toilet. It was still about half-an-hour to go for lunch and it was difficult to continue. I thought I was letting the team down, but had no choice,” said the 20-year-old from Queensland, who constructed a neat 68 off 156 balls in his first Test innings in India.
Not all were amused and former Australian captain Allan Border was among those who viewed the incident as unprofessional. “It came pretty suddenly, probably 5-10 minutes before Davey got out. I wasn't sure of the rule. I was told that I could retire ill and come back to bat. It wasn’t ideal, but that’s life, pretty much.”
To his credit, the youngster playing his fifth Test did well after coming back. With Mitchell Starc’s late counterattack, his vigil was instrumental in keeping Australia in the match. Sure of the position of off stump, he made good use of long reach to smother spin and swing.
“As an opening batsman, you go out there straightaway. Waiting to go in was the most difficult part (of the forced break). Plus, I had never seen a pitch like that. After coming back, I just concentrated on staying there for as long as possible.” Those at MCA Stadium might remember his innings for different reasons though.