Matt Renshaw scored a career-best 190, his first Test century in more than nine years and 280 days, to put Australia in control of the first Test against South Africa in Durban.
After much talk about the issues among their ageing top order on day one, Renshaw ground out his innings from 397 balls, emphatically pushing his case to be part of Australia’s future. He dragged Australia from 124-6 to 390 all out, and South Africa were 27-1 at the close, with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 15.
The 30-year-old was born in Middlesbrough and was a childhood friend of England captain Joe Root. Their fathers played together in English club cricket. Renshaw’s parents left the UK for New Zealand and then Australia when he was seven.
The knock was a statement from a left-hander whose international career has been up and down. Renshaw scored 184 in his fourth Test, against Pakistan in January 2017, after being handed his debut aged 20. He then averaged 19.41 across 10 Tests over two spells before being recalled earlier this year.
“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.”
A patient, unhurried innings
Renshaw showed impeccable patience and resilience, leaving or defending all of the deliveries he did not need to play. He hit only three boundaries on day one. He attacked just 14.2% of deliveries while making his first 50 runs, the lowest figure of Australia’s top order. He continued in the same vein on day two, leaving well and scoring mostly square of the wicket or behind it.
He 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 South Africa’s bowlers. Renshaw took the strike when needed and protected Lyon from the pace of Anrich Nortje. As the partnership grew, he became more aggressive and added boundaries. He added 21 more with number 11 Josh Hazlewood before falling in the first over after tea.
“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.”
Does Renshaw’s knock solve Australia’s top-order dilemma?
Renshaw’s innings, along with opener Ryan Rickelton’s three-ball duck before bad light halted South Africa’s reply in the 8.4 overs they faced, has left Australia well placed to push for victory. The pitch flattened out on day two but is expected to take turn later in the Test.
The series is eagerly anticipated because it is a repeat of last year’s World Test Championship final, which South Africa won. It is also the third of a possible 21 Tests for Australia before the end of next summer’s Ashes. Renshaw has surely secured his immediate future, but his knock does not resolve 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 solution would be to move Renshaw back up to open. That would reunite him with Head, who switched to opener to impressive effect in the Ashes, flogging England for centuries in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney. Head has shown vulnerability since, however, failing to pass 22 in his four innings in the role.
Alternatively, Renshaw could stay in the middle order and Green could return in place of fellow all-rounder Beau Webster. That would mean Australia’s search for a settled opening pair continues.
“No idea,” Renshaw said of the decision ahead. “That’s well above my pay grade.
“Whatever is the best for the team is the one for me. I am not too fussed.”
