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The Australian batting lineup was under the scanner as they went into the Test series opener against South Africa. But, Matt Renshaw's brilliant 190 has turned the tables. South Africa batters faltered on a pitch where run-scoring was not too difficult. The first innings score of 284 hurt them as Australia capitalised on it and batted like ODIs to set a huge target of 421 for hosts. Renshaw missed out on twin tons but his 82-run knock, Nic Maddinson's brave 38-ball 42 and skipper Pat Cummins' whirlwind 12-ball 32 cameo took Australia to 314/6. The captain declared with four wickets in hand and South Africa already find themselves struggling in the run chase.
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South Africa were 102/4 at the end of Day 4's play with Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder in the middle. They need 319 more runs to win the first Test.
What is the record for highest Test successful run chase vs Australia?
Australia have dared South Africa to break the record for highest successful Test run chase against them. The current record is in possession of West Indies. They chased down a target of 418 against Steve Waugh-led Australia in 2003. Ramanaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul's centuries followed by Omari Banks and Vasbert Drakes' patient knocks took West Indies over the line with three wickets to spare.
Highest successful Test run chase in South Africa
The highest successful Test run chase on South African soil belongs to the hosts. In 2002 at Kingsmead, Durban, the same ground where the Test series opener is being played, South Africa chased down 335 against Waugh-led side. Opener Herschelle Gibbs starred with a century whereas Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis contributed with half-centuries.
Overall, South Africa's highest successful Test run chase is against Australia as well. In 2008 at WACA, Perth, South Africa chased down 414 with six wickets to spare. Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers scored centuries whereas Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and Jean-Paul Duminy scored fifties against Ricky Ponting-led side.
All eyes on Markram
In the run chase, Proteas lost Ryan Rickelton early. He was surprised by the extra bounce and Alex Carey took a regulation catch off Josh Hazlewood's bowling. David Bedingham and Markram batted with positive intent. Hazlewood was brough back into the attack and he trapped Bedingham in front of the wickets. He departed after scoring 46 runs from 68 balls in the 66-run partnership.
Markram had an injury scare. After the 24th over, he was seen holding his right shoulder. He received medical intention on the field, took a pain killer and continued to bat.
After making an impact with the bat in both innings, Renshaw turned out to be the man with golden arm for Aussies. In his second over, he got South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma caught at short leg by Maddinson. Bavuma departed after scoring just one run as Renshaw celebrated his maiden Test wicket. Late into Day 4, skipper Cummins inflicted damage with the ball too. Tristan Stubbs was lured into a shot and got out caught behind. He scored just one run from 12 balls. Towards the end of day's play, Markram and Wiaan Mulder held the fort. On the final day, they have to achieve a herculean task of scoring 318 runs.
A repeat of WTC final needed from Markram?
Markram had scored 136 against Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final at Lord's. It is the fourth-highest score in a successful Test run chase against Australia. But, he will need to do a lot more in Durban to pull off a heist against the visitors. The record for highest score in a successful Test run chase against West Indies belongs to England's Mark Butcher with an unbeaten 173 at Headingley, Leeds, in 2001.
No Steve Smith on Day 5?
Australis' veteran batter Steve Smith did not take the field in South Africa's run chase on Day 4. He had copped a blow on the helmet while batting against Anrich Nortje. A concussion was ruled out in initial assessment. However, Cricket Australia (CA) will reveal the extent of it after the day's play. If Smith is not fit to take field on Day 5, Australia will miss their one of the best slip catchers. Smith had scored 27 runs from 41 balls. He was dismissed by Simon Harmer.
Maddinson, Cummins go berserk, Renshaw stamps authority
Dismissed for a 33-ball duck in the first innings in his first Test after a decade, Maddinson broke the shackles in the second innings. Starting at an overnight score of 17, he took the mantle to attack after Travis Head departed early. Maddinson smashed six fours and two sixes in his 38-ball 48. Nortje knocked him over and Maddinson ended up missing his maiden Test half-century.
Smith and Marnus Labuschagne couldn't convert starts into big scores. In the second session, Nortje knocked over Alex Carey as well. Renshaw and Beau Webster frustrated Proteas bowlers as the lead grew continued to grow. Renshaw missed a chance to follow up 190 with another century. He was dismissed caught and bowled for a 99-ball 82 by Keshav Maharaj.
Cummins made his intentions clear early on in the innings. Bedingham dropped his catch and the onslaught continued. He smashed Harmer for three sixes in an over. After Webster hit a boundary to make it a 23-run over, Cummins declared the innings. Australia posted 314/6 on the board.
While Webster remained unbeaten for a 43-ball 39, Cummins scored 32 runs from just 12 balls. It is the highest strike rate achieved by a batter in away Tests (minimum 30 runs). He recorded a strike rate of 266.66, breaking West Indies' Nixon McClean's record of 258.53 strike rate with his 12-ball 31 against South Africa in 1998.
How will WTC standings look after Day 5?
If South Africa lose the Durban Test, they will slip to third position with a win percentage of 60. New Zealand will rise to the second spot. Australia will remain no.1 in this case.
However, if Australia lose the Test, they will slip to second place with a win percentage of 72.72. South Africa will rise to top with a win percentage of 80.
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