Matt Renshaw’s fifty is in vain, as rain and bad light win, leaving points split

Rain and poor light meant that only 16 overs could be played, thus Matt Renshaw‘s maiden half-century of the new summer was the only bright spot on an otherwise dismal day in Melbourne. Queensland and Tasmania shared the One-Day Cup points on offer.

On a day when bad light interrupted play early and rain delayed play by four and a half hours, Renshaw scorched 51 off 36 balls with four fours and three sixes as Queensland reached 128 for 5.

On Wednesday, the Junction Oval had continuous rain, making play impossible until 2.30 p.m. The game was trimmed to 20 overs due to the weather, however 50 over powerplay regulations were still in effect. Not surprisingly, Tasmania sent Queensland in after Victoria had defeated them on the same pitch two days earlier.

Then, in just 8.4 overs, Matt Renshaw and Lachlan Hearne, the recent signing from Queensland, shared a 79-run partnership.

Their early progress came when Beau Webster picked up Max Bryant and Gabe Bell took down Ben McDermott. Between them, they hit seven fours and four sixes before Webster broke the stand.

Matt Kuhnemann bowled former teammate Jack Wildermuth for eight to record his maiden wicket for his new state against his old squad. After 16 overs, the umpires examined the light and declared the match to be over after Hearne holed out to deep midwicket off Bell. The points were divided and the play was never restarted.

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Usman Khawaja, the first Australian Test player, is scheduled to play on Friday against Victoria in Melbourne, where he was not there for the match against Tasmania.