Matt Renshaw breaks Virat Kohli's decade-old Test record with defiant 190 vs SA
Australia batter Matt Renshaw broke Virat Kohli’s decade-old record for the most runs scored alongside tail-enders in a Test innings, producing a career-best 190 against South Africa in Durban.
Renshaw scored 174 runs while batting with Nos. 8 to 11 during his 397-ball knock in Australia’s first innings. His innings helped Australia recover from 124 for 6 to post 390 all out on Day 2 of the ongoing Test at Kingsmead on Sunday.
Kohli had held the record since December 2016, when he scored 171 runs alongside the lower order during his 235 against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Renshaw went past that mark with a determined innings that kept Australia in the contest after their top order failed to deliver.
The left-hander found an able partner in captain Pat Cummins, adding 41 runs to their 86-run stand. He then scored 12 in a 20-run partnership with Mitchell Starc before joining Nathan Lyon for a match-changing stand.
South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test Day 2: Highlights | Scorecard
Renshaw and Lyon put on 134 runs for the ninth wicket, with the former contributing 100. Renshaw added another 21 runs with Josh Hazlewood before Simon Harmer dismissed him for 190, ending his hopes of a maiden Test double century.
Renshaw struck 21 fours and a six in an innings that lasted 397 deliveries. It was his first Test century in more than nine years and his highest score in the format, making it a timely statement as he looks to secure his place in Australia’s plans.
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The 190 also made Renshaw the highest-scoring Australian batter in a Test at Kingsmead, surpassing Phillip Hughes’ 160 in 2009. It was also the highest Test score at the venue by a batter coming in at No. 5 or lower, beating Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 153 in 2019.
Australia had been in trouble after losing six wickets for 124 runs, with questions raised about the form of their top order. Renshaw’s patience and willingness to occupy the crease helped turn the innings around and gave the visitors a total to defend.
Former Australia batter Simon Katich backed Renshaw’s approach, saying the team needed a batter capable of digging in when the situation demanded it.
“I like him as a player,” Katich said on SEN Radio.
“When he first came in, I liked him as a player, even though others thought he was too defensive.
“I think that is what this team has needed and been crying out for.”
Cummins added 43, while Lyon made 27 off 92 balls. For South Africa, Wiaan Mulder took 4 for 68, Marco Jansen claimed three wickets and Anrich Nortje picked up two.
South Africa finished Day 2 on 27 for 1, trailing Australia by 363 runs. Hazlewood dismissed Ryan Rickelton for a duck, while Aiden Markram was unbeaten on 15 and David Bedingham was on 12 when bad light brought an early end to play.
– Ends
