Matt Renshaw Century Rescues Australia in Durban Test

The Matt Renshaw century is the kind of innings cricket fans will be replaying for years. On day two of the first Test in Durban, the Australian left-hander dragged his team out of a hole against South Africa, and he did it nine years and two hundred and eighty days after his last Test century.

From a collapse to a commanding total

Australia had crumbled to one hundred and twenty-four for six, and the pressure was huge. According to the BBC, Renshaw ground out a career-best score from three hundred and ninety-seven balls, and Australia were eventually bowled out for three hundred and ninety. That total looked impossible when the top order folded.

He barely took risks. The BBC reports that he hit only three boundaries on day one and attacked just fourteen percent of deliveries while making his first fifty runs, the lowest rate among Australia's top order. He left well, scored mostly square of the wicket, and waited for loose balls.

Record partnerships with Cummins and Lyon

Renshaw first added eighty-six with captain Pat Cummins in the morning session. Then came the real magic, a stand of one hundred and thirty-four with number ten Nathan Lyon. According to Dawn, that was a record ninth-wicket partnership for Australia against South Africa and the highest for that wicket at Kingsmead in Durban.

Cricbuzz notes that Renshaw added two hundred and sixty-six runs with the lower order for the last four wickets. He took the strike to shield Lyon from the pace of Anrich Nortje, then grew more aggressive as the partnership built. He was even struck on the helmet by Nortje, but he settled quickly.

Why this innings feels personal

Renshaw is thirty and was born in Middlesbrough, England. He is a childhood friend of England captain Joe Root, and their fathers played club cricket together before his family moved to New Zealand and then Australia when he was seven. He scored one hundred and eighty-four against Pakistan in his fourth Test in January twenty seventeen, then struggled through two spells in the side.

"A few years out of the team, I had the opportunity in twenty twenty-three, you think you're never going to get the opportunity again," Renshaw said, as quoted by the BBC. He was recalled earlier this year. After the century he said it all hit him at once and was pretty special.

The selection puzzle it creates

The knock also creates a headache for selectors. Renshaw was moved down to number five because Cameron Green was ruled out, which let Nic Maddinson open alongside Travis Head. That was Australia's eleventh different opening partnership since David Warner retired, according to the BBC.

When Green returns, Australia could push Renshaw back up to open with Head, or keep him in the middle order and leave out another all-rounder. Asked about it, Renshaw said the decision was well above his pay grade and that he just wants whatever is best for the team. Former Australia batter Simon Katich said Renshaw is the kind of player the team has been crying out for.

Put simply, the Matt Renshaw century was a lesson in patience in a format that often rewards flash. Former Australia batter Katich praised that defensive streak, and it is exactly what the side needed on a tough day. The headline from Reuters called it record-breaking and said it put Australia on top in Durban.

What happens next in Durban

South Africa reached twenty-seven for one in reply before bad light ended play, leaving them trailing by three hundred and sixty-three runs. Opener Ryan Rickelton fell for a three-ball duck. The pitch flattened out on day two but is expected to take turn later in the match.

This series is a rematch of last year's World Test Championship final, which South Africa won. It is also part of a long run of Tests for Australia before the end of next summer's Ashes. If you like your sport with drama, check out more of our sports coverage and stay tuned for day three.