South Africa vs Australia: Matt Renshaw stars again as tourists close on statement victory - BBC Sport
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Renshaw delivers again as Australia close on win
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Renshaw had South Africa captain Temba Bavuma caught at short leg in the final hour
First Test, Durban (day four of five)
Australia 390 & 314-6 dec:
- Renshaw 82; Nortje 2-56, Maharaj 2-56
South Africa 284 & 102-4:
- Bedingham 46, Markram 45; Hazlewood 2-20
South Africa need 319 runs to win
Australia are poised to earn a dominant victory and end South Africa's impressive unbeaten run under captain Temba Bavuma after Matt Renshaw continued his remarkable Test return.
Renshaw, back for his first game in three years, followed up his 190 in the first innings with a stoic 89 to allow Australia to declare on 314-6. The 30-year-old then dismissed Bavuma with his part-time off-spin late in the day, his first Test wicket.
Captain Pat Cummins completed the perfect set-up of Tristan Stubbs, pushing him back with shorter balls before dismissing him with a full delivery, leaving South Africa 102-4 at the close.
Set a world record 421 to win, South Africa require a remarkable batting display on the final day to avoid defeat.
Under Bavuma's captaincy, South Africa have won 11 and drawn one of their Tests, including their run to the 2025 World Test Championship final where they beat Australia at Lord's.
This Test is the first in a summer that includes two more against Australia, two against Bangladesh, and three against England over Christmas.
Despite bad light cutting short the first three days, the fourth evening offered little respite for South Africa.
Why Markram holds the key
The hopes of the Proteas rest heavily on the shoulders of opener Aiden Markram, who has shown superb form in recent Tests, including a spectacular 136 in the final of the World Test Championship.
With only Kusal Mendis (45.56) among active players with a better fourth-innings average than Markram (45.50), the onus is on him to save the Test.
However, only two teams have survived 140 overs to save a Test in the past 13 years.
While Markram shared a stand of 66 with David Bedingham on day four, the pitch appeared calm, and even Renshaw found turn with his off-spin.
One positive for Markram is that he has faced 313 balls from Australia's premier spinner Nathan Lyon in Tests without being dismissed.
Australia may also be without the exceptional fielding of Steve Smith, who was struck on the helmet by a bouncer from Anrich Nortje on day four.
After Ryan Rickelton's 16-ball duck, Markram showed caution similar to Renshaw's in his first-innings hundred.