Matt Renshaw struck a career-best 190 on Saturday, helping Australia take control of the first Test against hosts South Africa. Australia were bowled out for 390 on the second day at Kingsmead in Durban.
Renshaw’s innings ended when he was caught at slip by Aiden Markram on the second delivery after tea. He faced 395 balls for his score, which was described as a classic Test innings of patience, with the bad ball waited for and punished.
Renshaw rebuilds Australia’s innings after early slump
Australia were in trouble early in Renshaw’s innings, slipping to 124 for six on the first day. Renshaw then added 86 for the seventh wicket with captain Pat Cummins, who made 43.
Australia started the second day on 187 for six. Wiaan Mulder took 4-68, including the wicket of Cummins, and Mitchell Starc was bowled by Mulder for six shortly afterwards.
Record ninth-wicket stand with Nathan Lyon
Renshaw and Nathan Lyon, who scored 27, shared a record ninth-wicket stand of 134 for Australia. It is the highest partnership for that wicket in Durban.
Lyon played cautiously before he was out LBW to Marco Jansen, who finished with 3-63. Renshaw rotated the strike well during the partnership, keeping most of the scoring and building runs rather than attacking the bowling. He was also struck in the helmet by Anrich Nortje but soon settled again.
Milestone century and record score at Kingsmead
Renshaw’s score is the highest by a number five batter in Tests at Kingsmead. The innings also marked his second Test century, nine years after his first, 185 against Pakistan in 2017.
Renshaw had made single-figure scores in 11 of his previous 13 Test innings. Josh Hazlewood was 5 not out at tea, when Renshaw was still at the crease with him.
