India vs Australia | Renshaw seeks advice from Hayden on batting in India

Only days after Steve O'Keefe said Australian spinners had spoken to Daniel Vettori and Rangana Herath on how to bowl on Indian wickets, Renshaw announced that he has been talking to former opener Hayden. The 45-year-old Hayden is one of the most successful foreign batters on Indian soil with an average of 51.35 in 11 Tests.

Left-handed Renshaw is 191cm tall, and the youngster said that his reach would give him an advantage in playing the sweep shot - a tactic that Hayden used to good effect in the subcontinent.

"I’ve had a couple of conversations with (Hayden) over the phone and he told me to embrace it over there and get as much experience as I can,” Renshaw told cricket.com.au. 

"I’m 20 years old and I’m going to one of the hardest places to play in the world, so I’m trying to embrace it and enjoy the challenge. 

"The sweep will be a big one for me and trying to stay slow and use my reach as a tall bloke. I’ve got that advantage over some of the other guys. 

"I can probably get to the balls which are going to turn a bit better than the short guys without moving my feet too much. So I’ll try and use that to my advantage as much as possible."

The Australian Test side is currently in Dubai training at the ICC facility that has different kinds of pitches. Renshaw is working there with Australia batting coach Graeme Hick and spin consultant Sriram Sridharan.

"The pitches here at the ICC Academy have been great since we arrived,” Renshaw said.  "There are been some turning wickets and some low ones for the seamers. It’s the best preparation for India without going to India. I’ve been trying to work on different plans, we’ve got Graeme Hick and Sriram and we’re trying to replicate what will happen over there.

"I’ve watched a bit of the England series, trying to work out what their spinners were trying to do, but we probably forget they have quick bowlers as well. Reverse swing will come on a fair bit over there."