The left-handed batter’s outstanding innings helped Australia recover from 124 for six to post 390 all out, putting the visitors in control on the second day of the opening Test of the series.
Renshaw’s second Test century came almost 10 years after his maiden hundred against Pakistan in January 2017, rewarding a long period of setbacks, perseverance and hard work.
Renshaw turns Australia’s fortunes around
Australia resumed day two at 187 for six, still needing substantial runs to establish a competitive first-innings total.
Renshaw, batting at number five, continued to show patience and discipline as South Africa looked to exploit the visitors’ vulnerable position.
He had already shared an important partnership with captain Pat Cummins, who contributed 43 runs, to prevent Australia from collapsing further.
After Cummins and Mitchell Starc departed, Renshaw found another valuable partner in Nathan Lyon. The pair frustrated the South African bowlers with a remarkable ninth-wicket stand worth 134 runs.
Lyon scored 27, while Renshaw continued to accumulate runs, eventually reaching 190 from 395 balls before Australia were dismissed for 390.
The partnership helped Australia recover from a difficult position and established a new record for the highest ninth-wicket stand by an Australian side against South Africa in Durban.
‘I always wanted that second one’
Renshaw’s celebration reflected the significance of the achievement after years of uncertainty over his place in the Australian Test team.
Speaking after his innings, the 30-year-old admitted that he had wondered whether he would ever receive another opportunity to play Test cricket after previous setbacks.
“I always wanted that second one,” Renshaw said, explaining that the century represented the hard work, failures and successes of the years since his first hundred.
He also credited those difficult experiences with helping him develop the composure required to produce such a demanding innings.
The Queenslander had scored in single figures in 11 of his previous 13 Test innings, making his performance in Durban a particularly significant response.
Australia seize control at Kingsmead
Australia’s recovery left South Africa facing a substantial challenge in their first innings.
The hosts lost Ryan Rickelton for a duck to Josh Hazlewood and reached stumps on 27 for one, trailing Australia by 363 runs.
Renshaw also suggested that the pitch could become increasingly difficult to bat on, with signs of variable bounce and spin emerging as the match progressed.
His innings has also created a selection dilemma for Australia, with the selectors needing to consider how best to accommodate him in the batting order for the remainder of the series.
A defining moment in Renshaw’s career
Renshaw’s 190 was more than a personal milestone. It transformed Australia’s position in the match and demonstrated his ability to respond under pressure after a lengthy absence from Test cricket.
Having waited almost a decade to score another Test century, the Australian batter has given his team a strong platform from which to challenge South Africa.
The hosts must now produce a substantial batting performance to prevent the visitors from taking a commanding advantage in the opening Test.