Matt Renshaw ends 9-year century drought to rescue Australia from 124/6 to commanding 390 to put SA on back foot in 1st Test

In an extraordinary display of resilience and grit, Australian opener Matt Renshaw ended a nine-year-long wait for a Test century to transform Australia's fortunes on Day 2 of the series opener against South Africa at Kingsmead, Durban. Resuming from a precarious position, Renshaw’s marathon knock lifted the visitors from the brink of disaster at 124/6 to a robust total of 390, placing the Proteas firmly on the back foot.

Renshaw’s heroic 190 ends nine-year wait, rescues Australia in Durban

Australia’s decision to bat first had initially backfired, as South Africa’s relentless pace attack exploited early seam movement and bounce. When the sixth wicket tumbled with just 124 runs on the board, the hosts looked poised to fold Australia's first innings inside two sessions.

However, Renshaw had other plans. Exhibiting tremendous composure, immaculate leave-awareness outside the off-stump, and unwavering discipline, the left-hander shepherded the lower order with clinical precision.

Renshaw anchored key lower-order partnerships, farming the strike effectively and punishing any loose deliveries from a tiring South African attack. His career-best knock of 190 off 397 balls, an innings featuring 21 crisp boundaries and countless moments of stoic defense, finally came to an end when he was the last man dismissed, leaving the Kingsmead crowd in awe of his stamina and mental fortitude.

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Renshaw’s century carried immense emotional weight. Having last crossed the three-figure mark in Test cricket back in January 2017 against Pakistan in Sydney, the 30-year-old had spent years riding the domestic grind, enduring selection snubs, and refining his technique.

His maiden overseas Test century not only silenced skeptics regarding his long-term suitability for top-flight international cricket but also firmly cemented his place in Australia's top order.

South Africa reeling after early blow

Having batted through most of Day 2 to post a commanding 390, Australia capitalized immediately with the new ball in the final session. Mitchell Starc struck in his very second over, dismissing South African opener Aiden Markram for a duck to deal an early blow to the hosts.

At the close of play on Day 2, South Africa were left reeling at 27/1, trailing Australia by 363 runs. With the Kingsmead pitch starting to show variable bounce and uneven wear, Renshaw's monumental 190 has shifted complete control of the first Test into Australia's hands.

Australia resumed their first innings at 187/6 on Day 2, with Matt Renshaw unbeaten on 46 alongside skipper Pat Cummins on 33. The seventh-wicket pair had already stabilized the innings after a top-order collapse saw Australia slump to 124/6 on the opening day. However, the 86-run stand came to an end after adding just 23 runs to the overnight total, as Wiaan Mulder drew an edge from Cummins that was safely held by Aiden Markram at second slip. Soon after, Mulder struck again to bowl Mitchell Starc for 6, leaving the visitors reeling at 230/8.

Wiaan Mulder, standout bowler for Proteas

While South Africa aimed to wrap up the tail quickly, Renshaw anchored a magnificent rearguard effort. Bating with composure, he defended short balls comfortably and brought out occasional reverse sweeps against spin to maintain scoreboard pressure. Renshaw brought up his second Test century before the lunch break—ending a nine-year wait since his maiden Test ton—guiding Australia to 277/8 by the interval with his individual score at 102.The middle session belonged entirely to Renshaw and Nathan Lyon. Together, the duo forged a record-breaking 134-run ninth-wicket partnership—the highest ninth-wicket stand ever recorded at Kingsmead in Test cricket—pushing Australia past 360. Lyon offered stubborn support with a 92-ball 27 before falling lbw to Marco Jansen. Josh Hazlewood then hung around till tea, allowing Renshaw to elevate the score to 390. The innings finally closed immediately after tea when Renshaw fell to Simon Harmer for a career-best 190. For the hosts, Mulder led the attack with figures of 4/68, while Jansen took 3/68 and Anrich Nortje claimed 2/88.   In response, South Africa got off to a disastrous start as Josh Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton for a third-ball duck, caught by Beau Webster at third slip without a run on the board. Aiden Markram (15*) and David Bedingham (12*) steadied the ship slightly to bring the Proteas to 27/1 after 8.4 overs before deteriorating lighting conditions forced an early end to the day's play.

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Matt Renshaw's ton might ease off Australia's top order trouble

This marquee Test series arrives with massive anticipation, serving as an immediate rematch of last year's World Test Championship final in which the Proteas emerged victorious. For Australia, it marks just the third fixture in an grueling 21-Test stretch leading up to next summer’s Ashes. While Matt Renshaw’s heroic centuries have undoubtedly locked down his spot in the squad for the foreseeable future, his performance has not entirely resolved the broader tactical dilemmas surrounding the top-order setup. Renshaw was originally recalled to the international fold as an opener in place of Jake Weatherald, but Cameron Green's injury absence prompted management to shift him down to number five for this match. To fill the void at the top, Nic Maddinson was drafted in to partner Travis Head, creating Australia’s 11th distinct opening combination since David Warner’s retirement. However, with Green expected to reclaim his middle-order spot upon returning and Maddinson failing to impress following a 33-ball duck in the first innings, shuffling Renshaw back up to open presents a logical fix to their top-order instability. A return to the top for Renshaw would reunite him with Travis Head, who enjoyed a blistering, century-laden run as an converted opener during the Ashes, posting hundreds at Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney, before hitting a lean patch in his four subsequent innings. On the other hand, selectorial preferences might lean toward keeping Renshaw at number five and bringing Green back at the expense of all-rounder Beau Webster, a move that would leave Australia’s ongoing search for a reliable, permanent opening pair wide open.