Renshaw hits career-best 190 as Australia recover to 390 in Durban

Matt Renshaw scored a career-best 190 as Australia recovered from 124-6 to reach 390 all out on the second day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban. BBC Sport reported that the left-hander faced 397 balls, ending a wait of nine years and 280 days for his second Test century and giving Australia a substantial first-innings total after their early batting difficulties.

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Renshaw's recovery effort depended on extended partnerships with the lower order. He and captain Pat Cummins took their stand to 86 during the morning session before Renshaw added 134 with Nathan Lyon, batting at number 10. Cummins contributed 43, while South Africa's Wiaan Mulder finished with figures of 4-68. Those partnerships carried Australia well beyond the position they had occupied with six wickets down.

According to BBC Sport's Matthew Henry, Renshaw managed the strike to limit Lyon's exposure to Anrich Nortje's pace, then increased his attacking intent as their partnership developed. His approach had been notably restrained earlier in the innings: he struck only three boundaries on the opening day. On day two, he continued to leave deliveries and collected much of his scoring square of the wicket or behind it.

After Lyon's involvement, Renshaw added another 21 with last man Josh Hazlewood. His dismissal came in the first over after tea, leaving South Africa 22 overs to face. The hosts then lost opener Ryan Rickelton for a three-ball duck. Renshaw's 190 surpassed the 184 he made against Pakistan in January 2017, an innings that came in just his fourth Test after his international debut at 20.

The performance also came amid changes to Australia's batting order. Recalled in August as an opener in place of Jake Weatherald, Renshaw moved to number five for this match after Cameron Green was ruled out. Nic Maddinson instead opened alongside Travis Head, creating Australia's 11th opening combination since David Warner's retirement. Maddinson was dismissed without scoring after facing 33 balls on the first day.

BBC Sport reported that Green, Australia's regular number five, was expected to return, leaving the batting configuration an ongoing selection issue. Renshaw's contribution gives selectors a strong recent performance to weigh as that decision approaches. The series is also a rematch of the previous year's World Test Championship final, which South Africa won.