Matthew Hayden calls for return of Aussie batter with 49 average as two players face the axe

Aussie cricket great Matthew Hayden has claimed Matthew Renshaw needs to be catapulted into the Aussie Test side after an unacceptable performance against Bangladesh. The Aussie Test side suffered one of their worst Test defeats in the nation's history with Bangladesh victorious after a nine wicket win.

The Aussie batting line-up has once again come under immense scrutiny with the likes of Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne not standing up once again. Cameron Green finished with a fourth innings century in what could be the start of a promising summer.

Although more pressure is mounting on the selectors to make much needed calls with Steve Smith unable to rescue Australia again. Weatherald and Labuschagne are struggling at the top of the order.

Aussie cricket great Ricky Ponting was critical of Weatherald's technique at Test level with the opener battling for runs. He scored 23 and a duck in the first Test with his struggles in the Ashes now prompting speculation he could make way.

Labuschagne hasn't been much better having averaged 28.77 last summer. He only scored one and 31 against Bangladesh in Darwin. There are calls to shake-up the top order for Australia with Smith often left to rescue the Aussie innings.

And Aussie cricket great, and former opener, Hayden has called for Renshaw to come back into the side. Speaking to Channel 7, the Aussie great felt a change was needed after the embarrassing defeat on home soil and it was Labuschagne who he thinks should make way.

"I think you have to have a stating point. Who are we and where are we highlighting first? Is it one of the openers or is it that No.3 spot? Because the No.3 spot has been a big question. Marnus Labuschagne has been in that sort of form for two years. What's going to change overnight, not only when we go to Mackay, but what's going to change come that first Test in the Australian summer in proper?" he said.

"What I would do I think is put Travis Head at No.3 and then I would start to look for a refresh and a refit at that top of the order. I want some experience at the top. I want to see Matt Renshaw and I've been saying this for at least 12 months. I think he is match fit…I think the selectors knew what he was, now I want to see what he actually is."

Pat Cummins discusses batting woes

Speaking after the loss, captain Pat Cummins remained coy on whether there would be a shake-up. "I think it is a balance," he said. "It is one Test but it is a little bit of a trend as well. Do you intervene now or do you let it play out and think it is the way forward?

"Over the next couple of days we will have a think and the selectors will have a think." One concern for Australian cricket is who comes into the side with few Shield players banging down the door.

Matt Renshaw pushing for Test recall

Renshaw's first class career doesn't scream recall. The 30-year-old only averages 37.73 across his first class career. Although he has found form in recent years. Renshaw played 10 Sheffield Shield games for Queensland in the 2025/26 competition and scored 499 runs at an average of 49.90.

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