Felt nervous before start of play: Matt Renshaw

Felt nervous before start of play: Matt Renshaw

Matt Renshaw, the 20-year-old opener, composed a sure-footed innings of 71 to set the foundation for Australia's impressive effort of 288 for 3 on the opening day of the ongoing pink-ball Test against Pakistan at the Gabba, Brisbane on Thursday (November 15).

Renshaw played a wide array of shots, including a couple of lofted strokes off Yasir Shah. His enterprising innings at the Gabba was in sharp contrast to his dour hands on debut against South Africa in Adelaide.

Renshaw said that he felt anxious before the start of the day's play, but he attuned well to the conditions after finding the boundary hoardings a few times in the morning session. "I just went out there and batted and got a few balls in my areas and tried to put them away. Fortunately they went to the boundary today," the young batsman said.

"I was a little bit more nervous this morning than I thought I would [be]. But as soon as I walked onto the ground and heard the anthems I was more excited than nervous really."

Renshaw also observed that he gained valuable insights while batting with the experienced duo of David Warner and Steve Smith. "They're a good measure (Warner and Smith). They offer the insights you don't normally get. To have the experience out there is amazing. I was getting a few too many shots out there and Steve (Smith) told me to calm down and watch the ball."

Renshaw was pleased after registering his maiden half-century at his home ground, the Gabba. Unfortunately for him, his parents - Ian and Allison - couldn't make it to the venue to watch their son compile a well-measured fifty.

"They came to Adelaide and Hannah's [sister] graduation is a really big thing for her. Unfortunately I wasn't still in when they finished there and they couldn't head over," Renshaw pointed out when asked about the absence of his parents at the ground. "They told me I needed to be 80 not out at the dinner break but I couldn't do that. I've let them down," he added.