“Renners is one of the most talented batters I’ve played with. The way he goes about his game, especially over the last couple of years, is really positive – he takes the game on,” Bartlett told this masthead.
“I think he was always so talented, but when he went down to the Adelaide Strikers and had that stint there, he came back for the Brisbane Heat and went into that middle-order role. He’s really taken that chance and flourished.
“He’s quite intimidating – he’s a big frame who hits the ball hard – but he also has that nice touch. Being an opening batter in the longer form of the game, he can get through those tough moments and really build an innings.
“He knows when to switch gears.”
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While Renshaw will make his case for a hopeful Test comeback through the ODI squad, Labuschagne appears destined to return to the fold in time to face the old English enemy.
The 31-year-old was axed for the West Indies tour after being trialled as an opener in the World Test Championship Final, which followed a lean period in which he had averaged 30.98 and scored one century since the start of 2023.
But with two one-day and two Shield centuries already this summer, his case is growing palpable, having garnered a recall into the ODI squad after Cameron Green was ruled out through injury.
Where he fits in is the question, given that he has plied his trade at No.3.
If Australian selectors opt to go for a specialist opener, such as Renshaw or Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald, it could spell danger for allrounder Beau Webster, who is yet to put a foot wrong in Test cricket, having taken eight wickets while averaging 34.63, with three half-centuries from seven appearances.
But after backing up his 160 against Tasmania with a free-flowing 159 against South Australia on Thursday – bringing up his century in 129 deliveries – the Labuschagne of old seems to have returned.
Marnus Labuschagne has started the summer as Australia’s most in-form batsman.Credit: Getty Images
The Queensland skipper revealed he was back playing with his instincts, and while he had frequently spoken with Australian superstar Steve Smith, the pair had not discussed his batting.
“What I’ve learnt from Steve over my time is his ability to mould his technique and assess conditions … while other people try and do the assessing of conditions but then play with their technique,” Labuschagne said.
“I’ve learnt so much. At different times, my learning was making sure you keep calm and don’t drag that last bit of your innings over into the first part of your [next] innings.”
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