Matt Renshaw scored an epic Test century, his first in more than nine years, to put Australia in control of the first Test of their highly anticipated series against South Africa in Durban.
Australia 390 all out (Renshaw 190, Cummins 43; Mulder 4-68). South Africa 27-1 (Markram 15 not out; Hazlewood 1-9).
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, emphatically pushing his case to be part of Australia’s future.
The 30-year-old was born in Middlesbrough and was a childhood friend of England captain Joe Root, as their fathers played together in English club cricket. His parents left the UK for New Zealand and then Australia when he was seven.
Having dragged Australia from 124-6 to 390 all out, his innings was a statement from a left-hander who has had an in-and-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 showed impeccable patience and resilience, leaving or defending all of the deliveries shown above. He scored 184 in his fourth Test, against Pakistan in January 2017, after being handed a debut aged 20. He then averaged 19.41 across 10 Tests over two spells before being recalled earlier this year.
“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.”
Against South Africa, 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. The innings continued in a throwback style on day two, as he left well throughout and largely scored square or behind the wicket.
He extended his partnership with captain Pat Cummins in the morning session to 86. He then expertly controlled a stand of 134 with number 10 Nathan Lyon, frustrating and tiring South Africa’s bowlers.
Renshaw took the strike when needed, protecting Lyon from the pace of Anrich Nortje, but grew increasingly aggressive to add boundaries as the partnership developed. He added a further 21 with number 11 Josh Hazlewood before falling in the first over after tea.
Does Renshaw’s knock solve Australia’s top-order dilemma?
Renshaw’s superb innings, followed by the three-ball duck of opener Ryan Rickelton in the 8.4 overs before bad light halted South Africa’s reply, leaves Australia well placed to push for victory. The pitch flattened out on day two but is expected to take turn later in the Test.
This series has been eagerly anticipated, as 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 the Ashes next summer. While Renshaw has surely secured his immediate future, his innings does not resolve all questions over the make-up of their side.
When he was recalled in August, he replaced Jake Weatherald as opener, but he 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.
With Green, the regular number five, expected to return, and Maddinson making a 33-ball duck on day one, one solution to their top-order struggles would be to move Renshaw up again. That would reunite him with Head, who made the surprise switch 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.
Alternatively, Renshaw could stay in the middle order and Green could return in place of all-rounder Beau Webster, meaning Australia’s hunt for a settled opening pair would continue.
“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.”