Aussie cricket star axed for second Test as calls for return of batter with 144 average ignored

Matt Renshaw has won a recall to the Australian squad for the second Test against Bangladesh at the expense of Jake Weatherald, and is in line to play in Mackay. But cricket pundits are questioning why Kurtis Patterson hasn't received more attention.

Changes were demanded after Australia's nine-wicket loss in the first Test against Bangladesh, with Ricky Ponting and Matthew Hayden leading the charge. Hayden had called for Renshaw to return after he averaged 49.90 last Sheffield Shield season.

Coach Andrew McDonald admitted on Monday that Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne needed runs, and on Tuesday Weatherald was sensationally dropped. Renshaw has played 14 Tests since debuting way back in 2016 for an average of just 29.31. He hasn't played at Test level since 2023.

Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas had also been floated as options to potentially come in, but Patterson seems to have been forgotten despite averaging 144 at Test level. The 33-year-old from NSW scored 114 not out in the second of two Tests he played against Sri Lanka in 2019 - the only two Tests of his career.

With 144 runs at Test level and only one dismissal, his average sits at a very impressive 144. Cruelly, the left-hander has never been given another chance at Test level.

He played at a time when Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were banned over the sandpaper scandal, and when Smith and Warner came back in Patterson never got another look. He's scored 7400 runs at first-class level at an average of 38.77, including two centuries and a career-high 173 not out in the last Shield season.

Calls for Kurtis Patterson to make Test return

Leading cricket journo Ben Horne wrote this week: "Ideally you'd be picking a much younger player than Kurtis Patterson at No.3, but it's such a difficult position, I don't mind the idea of having a look at the in-form veteran until the home season starts and young batsmen can fight for form."

Zane Bojack of ABC Sport wrote on social media: "I'm surprised with all the turmoil surrounding the loss to Bangladesh that amongst all the replacement names touted for Mackay or South Africa that Kurtis Patterson hasn't been mentioned. Highest Sheffield Shield score of the season last year and NSW player of the year. Has Test experience and maturity."

Speaking in February, Patterson said he still harbours desires for a Test recall. "If that opportunity were to come, I'd grab it with both hands," he said. "If it was one to six (in the order), no complaining on my end."

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