Renshaw to open batting as Australia make one change for Mackay

[p]A pace-friendly pitch is predicted at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay as the hosts look to bounce back from a nine-wicket upset in the first Test in Darwin last week.[/p][p]Captain Pat Cummins initially told a news conference they were considering Scott Boland in an all-pace attack alongside himself, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.[/p][p]But barely an hour later officials confirmed Lyon was safe after another look at the wicket.[/p][p]The 38-year-old Lyon, who took 1-125 in Darwin in his first match back after a hamstring injury last December, has not missed a home red-ball Test when fit since 2012.[/p][p]Renshaw is the only change, coming in for his first Test since 2023 to replace opener Jake Weatherald, who was dropped after six underwhelming Tests.[/p][p]"[b]A really tough one for Wethers, I thought he was awesome around the group, really like the way he goes about it,[/b]" Cummins said ahead of the clash starting on Saturday.[/p][p]"[b]But over the course of six Test matches[/b] (he) [b]just didn't quite score the runs that he or we would've liked.[/b]"[/p][p]Cummins said left-hander Renshaw, who will open with Travis Head, deserved his chance.[/p][p]"[b]He's been really impressive, some great off-season tours to Pakistan and Bangladesh with the white-ball, so he looks in good nick[/b]."[/p][p]With the exception of Steve Smith (71 and 44) and second-innings century-maker Cameron Green, the Australian batting was poor in Darwin -- the team's first Test since January.[/p][p]"[b]I certainly felt like we didn't play anywhere near our best, and they played really well and they deserved to win,[/b]" Cummins said.[/p][p]"So, I think it's going back to when we play well. Fortunately we've got a decent body of work to look back on.[/p][p]"[b]I thought our prep was excellent, so I think everyone's in a pretty good nick. So it's just about translating our form into actually a good result.[/b]"[/p][h2]Australia Second Test XI:[/h2][p][i][b]Matt Renshaw[/b][/i], Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood[/p]