Matt Renshaw has won the three-way battle to replace the recently-retired David Warner in Australia’s Test squad for the opening game against West Indies in Adelaide. Renshaw saw off competition from Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris.

While there were calls from several quarters for Bancroft to be picked after he topped the run charts in the Sheffield Shield, the selection panel has opted for the flexibility of Renshaw who has batted in different positions so far in his first-class career. He recently hit an unbeaten 136 against Pakistan in a tour game as well and his last appearance for the national team came in the Border Gavaskar Trophy in India.

However, it is likely that Renshaw will remain the reserve batter in Adelaide after the Chairman of selectors George Bailey confirmed the return of Cameron Green to the playing XI. Where Green would fit in Australia’s XI hasn’t been revealed for now but there is a possibility that he could bat at No.4 after Steve Smith had recently expressed his desire to open the batting post Warner’s exit.

Smith, the leading Test batter of his generation, averages over 60 at No.3 and No.4 and a move to the top of the order would pose a fresh challenge at the age of 34. While skipper Pat Cummins wasn’t keen on that move, Smith did find backing from the likes of Marnus Labuschagne and former skipper Michael Clarke. At the same time, Green’s record has been excellent as well in Shield cricket batting at No.4.

Apart from Renshaw, Bailey has also confirmed the return of Scott Boland, who was released from the squad in Sydney in order to feature in the BBL. “Cameron Green will come into the playing XI for the Test in Adelaide in a squad also containing Scott Boland and Matthew Renshaw,” Bailey said. “We have selected a team we believe contains the best six batters in the country. Scott Boland and Matt Renshaw will join the squad prior to the first Test after playing for the Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat in the BBL.”