Matt Renshaw struck his second test century as he expertly marshalled the Australian tail to enable the visitors to reach 277 for eight against the Proteas on the second morning of the first test at a sunny Kingsmead in Durban on Saturday.
On a pitch that had grown a little easier for the batters, Australia added a further 90 to their overnight total of 187 for six. This involved a seventh-wicket partnership of 86 in 191 balls with his captain, Pat Cummins, and an unbroken ninth-wicket partnership of 43 with Nathan Lyon (7*).
The left-handed Renshaw, who certainly looked the part as a regular opener, albeit batting at No 5 in this match, has so far batted for 304 minutes and 218 balls for his unbeaten 102, hitting 10 fours. He has shown excellent patience and good shot selection, favouring strokes through midwicket, with the leave being one of his most important (non) shots. The 30-year-old, born in Yorkshire, England, is playing in his 16th test since his debut against South Africa at Adelaide 10 years ago. In a stop-start career, his only century before this one was the 184 he struck against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2016/17.
South Africa only had two successes – both courtesy of Wiaan Mulder – during the elongated morning session of two hours and 15 minutes. The allrounder found the outside edge of Cummins’ bat in his first over with the second new ball, resulting in a comfortable catch for Aiden Markram at second slip. Cummins departed for a valuable 43 in 98 balls, including six fours. His partnership with Renshaw was an Australian ground record against South Africa for the seventh wicket.
Mulder soon followed this success with another, when he produced a peach of a delivery that pitched on Mitchell Starc’s leg stump to hit middle-and-off. This was Mulder’s fourth wicket of the innings, within sight of his first five-for for South Africa.
For Australia, however, they will feel thankful that they are in the process of completing a fine recovery from the depths of 124 for six on Friday afternoon, having added a further 153 for the loss of only two wickets since then.
SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje.
AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Nicolas Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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