Renshaw 190 rescues Australia from 124 for six
Matt Renshaw produced the innings of his life at Kingsmead on Saturday, scoring a career-best 190 to lift Australia from a day-one collapse to 390 all out against South Africa in the first Test.
South Africa closed day two on 27 for one, still trailing by 363 runs, as the Renshaw 190 handed Australia firm control of the match.
It was Renshaw’s second Test hundred, and it arrived almost a decade after his first, against Pakistan. The 30-year-old came to the crease with Australia reeling at 124 for six on the opening day. He never looked back.
A decade of waiting ends in Durban
Resuming on day two with Australia at 187 for six, Renshaw marshalled the lower order with calm, old-fashioned Test batting. He first added 86 for the seventh wicket with captain Pat Cummins (43), who was caught by Aiden Markram off Wiaan Mulder.
When Mitchell Starc fell cheaply soon after, it looked as though South Africa would wrap up the innings quickly. Renshaw had other ideas. He teamed up with Nathan Lyon (27) for a record 134-run ninth-wicket stand, the highest ninth-wicket partnership for Australia against South Africa and the highest for any team at Kingsmead.
Renshaw’s 397-ball innings, decorated with 21 fours and one six, is the highest score by a number five batter in Tests at Kingsmead. He finally fell after tea, edging Simon Harmer to Markram at slip, and walked off to warm applause.
Renshaw’s day-two masterclass
- 190 runs off 397 balls, the highest of his first-class career
- 21 fours and one six in an innings of patience and precision
- 86-run stand with Pat Cummins for the seventh wicket
- 134-run stand with Nathan Lyon for the ninth wicket, a record at Kingsmead
- Second Test hundred, nearly ten years after his first against Pakistan
Redemption after years of self-doubt
Few innings carry as much personal meaning. Renshaw admitted afterwards that he had doubted whether he would ever play Test cricket again.
“I never thought I’d be here this long,” he said. “I think once I took a few years out of the team, and had an opportunity in 2023 and didn’t take it, you probably think that you’re never going to get this opportunity again.”
The left-hander had scored single figures in 11 of his previous 13 Test innings. “I always wanted that second one (century),” he said. “All the stuff that I’ve done in the past 10 years has probably led me to this moment.”
South Africa under pressure
South Africa’s bowlers toiled hard without reward. Mulder finished with four for 68, while Marco Jansen took three for 68, including the dismissal of Lyon.
In reply, the hosts made a shaky start. Ryan Rickelton fell for a duck, caught by Beau Webster at third slip off Josh Hazlewood. Markram (15 not out) and David Bedingham (12 not out) survived to stumps, but play was brought to an early close because of bad light.
Renshaw warned that batting would only get harder. “It probably got a little bit slower,” he said of the pitch. “There were a few balls where there was a fair bit of spin. A few went low.”
What happens next
Australia will look to press their advantage on day three with South Africa already more than 360 runs behind. For more on this series, read how Renshaw and Cummins first rescued Australia on day one (read the full story). Elsewhere in cricket, Pakistan’s young guns continue to impress, with Maaz Sadaqat’s maiden T20I fifty (read the full story), while New Zealand will be without their injured pacer for the India series (read the full story). West Indies also stunned India in a record T20 chase this week (read the full story).
Frequently asked questions
How many runs did Matt Renshaw score against South Africa?
Matt Renshaw scored 190 runs off 397 balls in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban, on October 10, 2026. It is the highest score of his career and his second Test century.
What is Australia’s total in the first Test against South Africa?
Australia were bowled out for 390 in their first innings. South Africa finished day two on 27 for one, trailing by 363 runs.
Who took the most wickets for South Africa?
Wiaan Mulder took four wickets for 68 runs, while Marco Jansen claimed three for 68 as South Africa’s bowlers shared the load on day two.
