Matt Renshaw Shatters Records with Historic 190 Against South Africa

Durban, October 10 (Daily Kiran) : Matt Renshaw made history in Durban on October 10, becoming the fourth Australian to score the highest Test innings against South Africa. The 30-year-old left-handed batsman played a remarkable knock of 190 runs off 397 balls, featuring one six and 21 fours, during the first Test match at Kingsmead.

This innings marks Renshaw’s second Test century, a milestone he achieved after a wait of nearly nine and a half years. His previous century was against Pakistan in Sydney in January 2017, where he scored 184 runs.

Renshaw’s 190 places him fourth on the list of highest Test innings by Australians against South Africa. He follows in the footsteps of Greg Blewett, who scored 214 runs in Johannesburg in 1997, Adam Gilchrist with an unbeaten 204 runs at the same venue in 2002, and Herbie Collins, who made 203 runs in Johannesburg in 1921.

In terms of balls faced, Renshaw’s 397 ranks third for an Australian against South Africa, behind Blewett (421 balls) and Michael Clarke (398 balls).

Renshaw’s score of 190 is the highest by an Australian player in Durban, surpassing the previous record of 160 runs set by Phillip Hughes in 2009. It is also the largest Test score made at number five or lower at this ground, eclipsing Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 153 runs from 2019.

Thanks to Renshaw’s outstanding performance, Australia managed to score 390 runs despite losing six wickets for just 124 runs. This marks the sixth-highest score after losing six wickets for under 125 runs in a Test innings. Pakistan holds the record, having scored 561 runs against New Zealand after being reduced to 111 for six in 1955.

The Australian team, batting first after winning the toss, saw Renshaw lead the charge with his 190 runs. Captain Pat Cummins contributed 43 runs, while Marnus Labuschagne added 37 runs and Nathan Lyon chipped in with 27 runs.

From the South African side, Vian Mulder was the standout bowler, taking four wickets, while Marco Jansen claimed three. Anrich Nortje secured two wickets, and Simon Harmer took one.