Renshaw's 272 leaves South Africa chasing 421 in Durban
Matt Renshaw has put Australia one good day from winning the first Test in Durban.
Australia declared its second innings at 316 for six just before tea on the fourth day, setting South Africa 421 to win. South Africa closed on 102 for four, with Aiden Markram 45 not out and 319 still needed. The Guardian
Renshaw made the game. He scored 190 in Australia’s first innings, then top-scored again with 82 in the second. His match tally of 272 runs came after a switch from opener to No. 5 for this tour, and after a Test comeback that had previously brought him a single innings edged to slip for eight.
The second knock was a different animal. His 82 came off 99 balls with seven fours and two sixes, scored at a strike rate of 82 compared with 47 in the first innings. Guardian live blog
The catch was pure slapstick. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj fumbled a return catch, bounced the ball off his own head, then held on to remove Renshaw for 82.
Australia batted around him with clear intent. A declaration — when a captain closes the innings early to leave time to bowl the opposition out — was always the plan in a five-day Test, and the middle and lower order pushed hard.
Nic Maddinson hit 48 from 38 balls after a duck in the first innings. Marnus Labuschagne made 37 from 58, Steve Smith made 27 after being hit in the helmet by Anrich Nortje, and Travis Head made 11 before being caught off a leading edge. Alex Carey added 24 before edging a drive back onto his stumps off Nortje, Pat Cummins smashed 32 from 12 balls with four sixes, and Beau Webster struck five fours.
South Africa’s chase started badly. Ryan Rickelton was caught behind by Carey off Josh Hazlewood for 2 with the score on 7 for one. Guardian live blog Three more wickets fell before stumps at Kingsmead, leaving Markram to anchor the final day.
The position is a turnaround from the start of the match. Australia were 187 for six at stumps on day one, and South Africa were still 170 behind with two wickets left on day three. Cricket.com.au
What makes this stand out is the speed of Renshaw’s reset. He defended for hours to make 190, then attacked the same bowlers to force a result. South Africa now need something huge. Australia need six wickets.
