Matt Renshaw Criticised by Former Australian Players For Retiring Due to Stomach Bug

New Delhi: Australia made a great start on Day 1 of the first Test against India in Pune, with the opening pair of David Warner and young Matt Renshaw keeping the Indian bowlers at bay with some inspired batting.

The duo showed great application and technique on a pitch, which is turning big and cracking up from the first day itself. But the partnership was broken when Indian paceman Umesh Yadav went past Warner’s defense with the score on 82 for 1. Warner was dismissed for 38 and captain Steven Smith walked in to replace the left-hander.

But play didn’t start immediately, and to everyone’s surprise Shaun Marsh was seen coming out in the middle. This happened after Renshaw left the field, retired hurt according to rules, due to a stomach bug just 15 minutes before lunch.

And this has not gone down well with former Australian cricketers who have come down hard on the youngster for not being able to carry on with his innings. Former captain Allan Border who was commentating for Fox Sports at the time wasn’t very kind with his words for the youngster, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Another former captain Michael Clarke, commentating for host broadcasters Star Sports was equally stunned and said, ” “Only 15 minutes until lunch, I can’t believe Renshaw is retiring. He must be extremely sick and has a stomach bug and has to go to the bath room – this is unbelievable.

Former Australian middle order batsman Damien Martyn, who was one of the stars of Australia’s 2003-04 victorious side in India, took to twitter to share his bewilderment, he wrote, “I’m still getting my head around this… JL would of lost a limb and still batted on.”

Ed Cowan, another left-handed Aussie opener who had toured India gave an alternative solution on twitter, “Still don’t know why he didn’t leave his bat and gloves there and just go to the toilet a la KP did at the SCG?? Game stops for 3 mins…”

Matt Renshaw’s retirement didn’t really afect the Aussies and captain Steven Smith and Shaun Marsh guided the visitors safely into lunch with the score at 84/1.