Australia vs South Africa: Matt Renshaw's epic innings puts tourists in command - BBC Sport
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Middlesbrough-born Renshaw's epic 190 lifts Australia
Image: Getty Images
Image caption: Renshaw's century was his first in Tests for nine years and 280 days
By Matthew Henry, BBC Sport Journalist
Published 56 minutes ago
First Test, Durban (day two of five)
Australia 390:
- Renshaw 190, Cummins 43; Mulder 4-68
South Africa 27/1:
- *Markram 15, Hazlewood 1-9
Matt Renshaw scored an epic first Test century in more than nine years to put Australia in control of the first Test in their highly anticipated series against South Africa.
After much talk about the issues among their ageing top order on day one, Renshaw ground out a majestic career-best 190 from 397 balls in Durban, emphatically pushing his case to be part of Australia's future.
The 30-year-old, born in Middlesbrough, was a childhood friend of England captain Joe Root—their fathers played together in English club cricket—before his parents left the UK for New Zealand and then Australia when he was seven.
As well as potentially match-defining innings, having dragged Australia from 124-6 to 390 all out, it was a statement knock from Renshaw who has had an in-out international career.
"I like him as a player," former Australia batter Simon Katich said on SEN Radio. "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 scored 184 in his fourth Test against Pakistan in January 2017 after being handed a debut aged 20, but averaged 19.41 across 10 Tests before being recalled earlier this year. Against South Africa, the left-hander hit only three boundaries on day one—he attacked only 14.2% of deliveries in making his first 50 runs, the lowest figure of the Australia's top order. A throwback innings continued as he left well throughout day two, largely scoring square or behind the wicket.
He extended his partnership with captain Pat Cummins in the morning session to 86 and then expertly controlled a stand of 134 with number 10 Nathan Lyon to frustrate and tire South Africa's bowlers. Renshaw took the strike when needed, protecting Lyon from the pace of Anrich Nortje, but became increasingly aggressive to add boundaries and inflict further pain as the partnership grew. He added a further 21 alongside number 11 Josh Hazlewood before falling in the first over after tea.
Does Renshaw's knock solve Australia's top-order dilemma?