Key Takeaways
- Matt Renshaw scored a career-best 190 to guide Australia to 390 all out.
- Renshaw shared a record ninth-wicket stand of 134 with Nathan Lyon.
- South Africa reached 27 for one in reply before play was ended by bad light.
Matt Renshaw achieved a career milestone by scoring 190, the highest by a number five batter in Tests at Kingsmead, as Australia posted 390 all out on the second day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban.
Renshaw’s innings was a testament to patience and strategic batting, sharing a record ninth-wicket stand of 134 with Nathan Lyon, who contributed 27 runs.
The day belonged to Renshaw, who faced 397 balls and navigated the bowling of South Africa’s frontline quicks, including Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje, who bowled 30 overs each.
Renshaw’s score came after Australia faced early trouble, slipping to 124 for six on the first day. However, he flipped the script by putting on 86 for the seventh wicket with skipper Pat Cummins (43).
Cummins was caught by Markram at second slip, and Mitchell Starc followed quickly after being bowled by Wiaan Mulder (4-68).
Despite the early setbacks, Renshaw’s innings was a masterclass in test cricket, characterized by his ability to wait for the right ball and rotate the strike to ensure he had most of the strike.
Renshaw’s second test century came nine years after his first, 185 against Pakistan in 2017, and he had made single-figure scores in 11 of his previous 13 Test innings.
Mulder praised Renshaw’s performance, stating, 'He played beautifully throughout the innings, played what was in front of him and left well. The partnerships built around him and he played the situation as well as anyone could have at this level.'
He played beautifully throughout the innings, played what was in front of him and left well.
Wiaan Mulder, South Africa bowler
