Renshaw's Unbeaten Century Carries Australia's Fightback on Day Two at Durban
Matt Renshaw struck his first Test century in almost nine years, going unbeaten to lunch on day two as Australia clawed their way toward a competitive total against South Africa at Kingsmead.
Matt Renshaw has produced one of the great revival innings of Australia's Test tour of South Africa, reaching an unbeaten century on the second morning of the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban. Resuming on 46 overnight with the visitors struggling at 187 for six, the 30-year-old left-hander calmly moved through the gears to bring up his hundred off 204 balls, his tenth boundary of the innings taking him to the landmark. He went to lunch on 102 not out, with Australia having added valuable runs to reach 277 for eight.
It is Renshaw's second Test century and his first since that memorable debut hundred against Pakistan in Sydney in 2017 — almost a decade ago. Surprisingly moved down the order to No. 5 instead of opening, he has become the backbone of Australia's resistance on a pitch that appears to have lost some of the bite it showed on day one.
He found crucial support from captain Pat Cummins, with the pair sharing an 86-run partnership before Cummins edged Wiaan Mulder to Aiden Markram at second slip for 43. Mulder was the pick of the South African attack, removing Mitchell Starc for six to finish the morning with four for 51 from 22 overs and remain on course for a maiden Test five-wicket haul. After day one, when South Africa's seamers reduced the tourists to 124 for six before bad light intervened, Renshaw's defiance has kept this fascinating series opener very much alive.