Matt Renshaw scored an epic first Test century in more than nine years, and his 190 put Australia in control of the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Australia were all out for 390 on day one, with Renshaw leading the recovery, and South Africa finished on 27-1 at the close, with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 15.
After much talk about the problems among their ageing top order, Renshaw ground out a majestic career-best 190 from 397 balls. He emphatically pushed his case to be part of Australia’s future. Having dragged his side from 124-6 to 390 all out, the 30-year-old produced a statement innings from a player whose international career has been stop-start.
Renshaw was born in Middlesbrough and was a childhood friend of England captain Joe Root, as their fathers played together in English club cricket. His parents left the UK for New Zealand and later Australia when he was seven.
A statement innings
Former Australia batter Simon Katich praised him on SEN Radio. “I like him as a player,” Katich said. “When he first came in, I liked him as a player, even though others thought he was too defensive. I think that is what this team has needed and been crying out for.”
Renshaw showed impeccable patience and resilience, leaving or defending almost every delivery offered. He scored 184 in his fourth Test, against Pakistan in January 2017, after making his debut aged 20. He then averaged 19.41 across 10 Tests over two spells before his recall earlier this year.
“A few years out of the team, I had the opportunity in 2023, you think [you’re] never going to get the opportunity again,” Renshaw said. “When I hit the ball [to go to his hundred] I was screaming at it ‘go, go, go’. It hit me all at once. It was pretty special.”
On day one, the left-hander hit only three boundaries. He attacked just 14.2% of deliveries while making his first 50 runs, the lowest figure of any Australia top-order batter. He continued in the same style on day two, largely scoring square or behind the wicket.
Partnerships steady the innings
Renshaw extended his partnership with captain Pat Cummins in the morning session to 86. He then controlled a stand of 134 with number 10 Nathan Lyon, frustrating and tiring the South African bowlers. He took the strike when needed, protecting Lyon from the pace of Anrich Nortje, but grew more aggressive as the partnership developed, adding boundaries and inflicting further pain.
He added 21 more alongside number 11 Josh Hazlewood before falling in the first over after tea. Opener Ryan Rickelton was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the 8.4 overs South Africa faced before bad light stopped their reply.
Does Renshaw’s knock solve Australia’s top-order dilemma?
Renshaw’s innings leaves Australia well placed to push for victory on a pitch that flattened out on day two but is expected to offer turn later in the Test. The series is a repeat of last year’s World Test Championship final, which South Africa won.
This is the third of a possible 21 Tests for Australia before the end of the next Ashes summer. Renshaw has surely secured his immediate future, but his knock does not answer every question about the make-up of the side. He was recalled in August in place of Jake Weatherald as opener, but moved down to number five for this Test when Cameron Green was ruled out.
Nic Maddinson opened alongside Travis Head, giving Australia an 11th different opening partnership since the retirement of David Warner. Maddinson made a 33-ball duck on day one. With Green, the regular number five, expected to return, one option is to move Renshaw back up to open with Head. Head made the surprise switch to opener to impressive effect in the Ashes, scoring centuries in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney against England, but he has passed 22 only once in his four innings since.
Alternatively, Renshaw could stay in the middle order and Green could return in place of fellow all-rounder Beau Webster, which would extend Australia’s search for a settled opening pair.
Asked about the decision ahead, Renshaw said: “No idea. That’s well above my pay grade. Whatever is the best for the team is the one for me. I am not too fussed.”