Cricket

Matthew Renshaw has waited nine years for his second Test century.

At Kingsmead he made it count with a remarkable innings of 190 batting with the tail as Australia was ultimately bowled out for 390 in the First Test against South Africa.

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With Pat Cummins challenging his batsmen pre-match to be be prepared to grind away with unglamorous cricket if required, the 30-year-old Queenslander delivered superbly.

When he walked to the crease on Friday Australia was struggling at 4-84 after Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne fell in quick succession — things then got even worse with Australia reduced to a precarious 6-124.

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What followed was an innings to warm the hearts of Test cricket purists everywhere, a knock filled with a level of patience, grit and steely determination rarely seen in today’s T20 obsessed era.

By the time he was the last Australian wicket to fall when caught at slip off Simon Harmer after tea day two, Renshaw had amassed 190 off 397 balls with 21 fours and a lone six.

A critical innings in the context of both the match, and series, the record books help to tell the full story.

Renshaw’s score was the highest by a number five batter in Tests at Kingsmead and the fourth-highest score by an Australian in South Africa.

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It was also Renshaw’s career best score, passing the 184 he made against Pakistan at the SCG back in 2017.

In an impressive rearguard action that has, unfortunately, become all too necessary for the Australians in recent years, Renshaw batted superbly with the tail as the last four wickets added 266 runs.

He added 86 with skipper Pat Cummins (43), then 134 with Nathan Lyon (27) in the process setting another Test record for the highest ninth wicket partnership in Durban.

How does Renshaw’s innings rate all-time against other knocks from a number five with the tail?

Among Australians at number five or lower in South Africa, only Greg Blewett (214) and Adam Gilchrist (204 not out), both at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, have made more.

Australia was bowled out late in the day for 390 with South Africa 1-27 at stumps.

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