Usman Khawaja says you ain't seen nothing yet with Test newcomer Matt Renshaw after the opener anchored Australia's successful run chase in Adelaide.
Despite displaying the resilience and determination hitherto unsighted from Australia's batsmen this summer, Renshaw copped Bronx cheers from the Adelaide crowd over his snail-paced scoring.
Renshaw finished unbeaten on 34 from 137 balls, including a stretch of 32 deliveries without a run. A week ago when Australia's batting woes hit rock bottom this would have been applauded, though fans can have short memories, particularly when victory is within sight and a dinner break looming.
A fairytale debut this was not but Renshaw would have had every right on Sunday night to feel he made a significant contribution to Australia's drought-breaking victory.
Waiting for a loose delivery: Matthew Renshaw gets the ball away during a very patient innings.Credit:Getty Images
His ability on the first evening to survive 12 overs against an in-form South African attack with new pink ball under lights was a key play in the game. Australia's first 12 overs in Hobart produced four wickets.
Khawaja is keen to remind the public that there is more to Renshaw's game than defence. Take the last round of the Shield where Renshaw sealed his baggy green with a dogged century before making 50 at close to a run a ball in the second innings when quick runs were required.
"He's got a really good temperament, a really good head on him. What you saw today and during this Test mach was one bit of Matt Renshaw's game," Khawaja said.
"He's got a very good temperament, a good defence, he plays the ball well and plays it late.
"Hopefully, you'll also be able to see the other part of him. I've seen him take down some attacks, I've seen him come against a few spinners and heave them for some big sixes and change gears.
"He's a 20-year-old playing Test cricket; he's doing great for a 20-year-old, he'd be doing great for a 25-year-old."
Renshaw played and missed numerous times in both innings but, as captain Steve Smith noted, was not chasing the ball and nicking.
"You can't afford to follow them, something that Usman did particularly well in the first innings," Smith said.
"Play the line and let the balls that nipped go past the bat. He didn't seem fazed by it, he got on with the job and made them bowl to him. When they got a bit straighter he picked them off."
Renshaw, though aware of the stick he was receiving in the stands, did not lose his head and was at the crease when the winning runs were hit by fellow debutant Peter Handscomb.
"I was just trying to have fun but once the crowd got going that was the hard part. I had to just keep myself grounded and not do something stupid," Renshaw said.
"It's pretty hard when the crowd gets up and adrenalin gets up. You want to play the big shot but you don't want to get out.
"I was just coming in and playing the way it works for me in Shield cricket, which is to bat as long as possible and let the bowler make a mistake first.
"Generally, I just try and play as long as possible. So just batting for a long time is quite fun for me."