Matt Renshaw To Join Australia Squad As Warner Replacement

Melbourne: Opener Matthew Ranshow is set to be rushed to South Africa as a possible replacement for David Warner, who is staring at the possibility of a lengthy ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal that has left the Australian cricket team red-faced.

According to cricket.com.au: "Renshaw will fly to Johannesburg this evening to join the under-siege tourists ahead of Friday's final Test against South Africa in the wake of the Cape Town ball-tampering crisis." The ICC has suspended Test captain Steve Smith for the fourth Test and opener Cameron Bancroft has been handed three demerit points along with a penalty of 75 per cent of his match fee.

There could be harsher sanctions in place after Cricket Australia completes its investigations led by Iain Roy, board's head of integrity.

Smith and vice-captain Warner were removed from their leadership roles before the start of the fourth day's play of the third Test.

According to board's website, Renshaw was kept in the loop about being a possible replacement and could be flown to South Africa on SOS basis.

Also Read: Steve Smith Has A Record of On-Field Eruptions

Renshaw has been in good form, having bounced back from the lean patch that saw him replaced by the now-maligned Bancroft for the Ashes. He has earned the call-up after scoring three hundreds in the Sheffield Shield, taking Queensland into the finals.

The left-hander last played for Australia in September last year, in the second Test against Bangladesh, in Chittagong. PTI