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Renshaw to stay No.5 as Aussies delay naming Test side

First-Test hero Matt Renshaw is set to stay at No.5 in Australia's line-up for Gqeberha. (AP PHOTO)

Matt Renshaw is set to remain at No.5 for the second Test against South Africa, as Australia wait on the opening day's weather to name their team.

Captain Pat Cummins confirmed on Saturday he expected Renshaw to again bat in the middle-order after his match-winning heroics in Durban.

That all but ensures Nic Maddinson will stay in the side and open with Travis Head, after scores of 0 and 48 on his shock Test recall last week.

Renshaw's scores of 190 and 82 came after he'd originally been recalled as an opener in Australia's previous Test against Bangladesh, the position where he has batted for most his career.

Renshaw
Matt Renshaw has been given lavish praise from his captain Pat Cummins. (AP PHOTO)

"After what Renners did last week, I presume he'll stay at number five," Cummins said on the eve of the Gqeberha Test.

"What he deserved even more credit for is that we'd asked him to do a different role, and he just said straight away 'yep, no worries, whatever the team needs'.

"So many positives in addition to the runs he scored last week. He was a delight, and really helped me and (Nathan) Lyon get through those partnerships."

Cummins also confirmed Cameron Green remains sidelined with his abdominal strain, while Josh Inglis is close to being declared fit.

Inglis
Josh Inglis is unlikely to return despite recovering from a fractured finger. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Even if Inglis is cleared to play following his fractured finger, it is unlikely he will be able to force his way into Australia's side.

Rain is expected across the opening two days in Gqeberha, with the prospect that both sides will be able to factor that into their XIs should the toss be delayed.

That could potentially lessen the need for spin and provide the option of a fourth quick in Scott Boland, with extra grass also left on the St George's Park wicket.

But Cummins gave every indication that Lyon would remain as a key part of the attack.

Lyon
"We love playing with Nath," says Australia's captain of veteran spinner Nathan Lyon. (AP PHOTO)

"We always look at all options," Cummins said when asked if it was conceivable that they could go in without a specialist spinner Lyon.

"We love playing with Nath. We saw last week, a couple of key wickets in the first innings.

"And even the control he gives. It makes the rest of us fast bowlers be able to function around him."

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