Matt Renshaw eclipses Phillip Hughes, rewrites record books with 190

Matt Renshaw scripted a remarkable turnaround for Australia with a career-best 190 against South Africa in the first Test in Durban, registering the highest individual score by an Australian at the venue.

Renshaw surpassed Phillip Hughes’ 160, scored in 2009, to claim the Durban record. His marathon knock also set a new benchmark for the highest individual Test score at the venue by a batter coming in at No. 5 or lower, eclipsing Sri Lanka’s Kusal Perera, who remained unbeaten on 153 in 2019.

The left-hander faced 397 deliveries, striking 21 fours and a six, as Australia recovered from a precarious 84-4 on Day 1 and 124-6 to post 390 all out in their first innings.

Renshaw found crucial support from the lower order, particularly Nathan Lyon, with whom he added 134 runs for the ninth wicket. Lyon contributed 27 off 92 balls in a stubborn partnership that frustrated the hosts for much of the second day.

Renshaw brought up his second Test century off 204 balls, his first since scoring 184 against Pakistan in Sydney in 2017. He went on to reach 150 off 311 deliveries before completing his highest score in Test cricket.

His innings also placed him among the highest-scoring Australians in South Africa in Tests. Greg Blewett’s 214 in Johannesburg in 1997 remains the highest, followed by Adam Gilchrist’s unbeaten 204 at the same venue in 2002 and Herbie Collins’ 203 in 1921. Renshaw’s 190 in Durban is fourth on the list.

Marco Jansen eventually dismissed Lyon leg before wicket, ending the 134-run stand, while Renshaw continued to push Australia towards the 400-run mark. He was finally caught at slip off Simon Harmer, bringing an end to an innings that had rescued Australia from a difficult position.

South Africa ended the second day at 27-1 in 8.4 overs, trailing by 363 runs. Ryan Rickelton fell for a three-ball duck to Josh Hazlewood, while Aiden Markram and David Bedingham were unbeaten on 15 and 12 respectively at stumps.

Play was curtailed by rain and lost time for the second consecutive day, with 14.2 overs lost on Saturday after nearly 25 overs had been washed out during the final session on Day 1.