'Should have chased that down' - Renshaw rues Australia batting effort

Australia left ruing a missed opportunity after failing to chase down a modest 170 against Zimbabwe in Colombo, with Matt Renshaw admitting the batting unit fell short in a game they “probably should have chased down.”

Despite top-scoring with 65 off 44 balls, Renshaw watched wickets tumble around him as Australia slumped to 29 for 4 inside five overs. A 77-run stand with Glenn Maxwell (31 off 32) briefly revived hopes, but the momentum never fully swung Australia’s way.

“We probably should have chased that down,” Renshaw said after the defeat. “I don’t think it’s the bowling group that should get the blame today. Zimbabwe bowled really well at the start, took some early wickets, and felt like every time we built some momentum, they got a breakthrough. That partnership with Maxi was important, but we couldn’t get enough momentum in there to chase that down. It was too many.”

Australia’s task was complicated by the absence of key players. Captain Mitchell Marsh, who would have opened the batting, remains sidelined with a testicular injury, while Marcus Stoinis suffered a blow to his left hand while fielding off his own bowling during the match. Their unavailability forced a reshuffle in the batting order, with Renshaw moving up one position.

“I think our batting group is so fluid with different options,” Renshaw said. “With our experience in Big Bash cricket, we’re very suited to going in different spots throughout the middle. Having Mitch out is a big loss and not sure when he’ll be back. He’s a big player to open the batting, and when he’s not there, someone else has to open.”

He added that while the team prides itself on adaptability, the timing of wickets ultimately proved costly. “In terms of fluidity, I think we’re all pretty able to manipulate and manoeuvre around different conditions. Unfortunately, we just lost wickets at the wrong time today.”

Australia’s squad depth has also come under scrutiny, with no replacement yet named for injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who was ruled out of the tournament last week. The management’s decision to delay a replacement may reflect a desire to keep options open as the competition progresses.

The defeat leaves Australia at risk of an early exit from the group stage. However, Renshaw was firm in his defence of the bowling unit.

“I think the bowlers in the group that are here are good enough. You’ve seen them perform so many times in world cricket. Sometimes they just don’t get the wickets, and the ball lands in the gap,” he said.

For Australia, the loss represents a missed chance to consolidate their position in the tournament — and a reminder that even modest targets can prove challenging when early momentum slips away.