Proteas have work to do after Matt Renshaw century put Australia on top

By SABC Sport
10th October 2026

Matt Renshaw struck a majestic career-best century before Australia took an early wicket to put the visitors on top after two days of the first Test against the Proteas at Kingsmead.

Renshaw was dismissed for 190, his second Test century nine years apart, as the tourists were eventually bowled out for 390 in the final session, before the Proteas were 27-1 when bad light brought an early end to proceedings on Saturday.

Australia resumed the second morning on 187-6, with overnight pair Renshaw and Pat Cummins extending their partnership to 86 before seamer Wiaan Mulder broke the stand as the visiting captain walked back for 43.

Mulder was at it again not long after, picking up his fourth wicket as the allrounder castled Mitchell Starc as the Australia found themselves 230-8.

Renshaw found a stoic partner in number 10 Nathan Lyon, and the Aussie number 5 reached his hundred off 204 balls - his last Test century coming against Pakistan in Sydney in 2017 - as Australia went to lunch on 277-8.

Renshaw and Lyon continued to frustrate the Proteas in the second session, with the duo going on to collect a ninth-wicket partnership record of 134, as the total kept accumulating in the baking Durban heat.

The stand was only broken just before the tea interval when Lyon was trapped lbw by left-arm quick Marco Jansen for 27 from 92 balls, but not before it put Australia well on top at 364-9.

Renshaw certainly expanded his game as he was batting with Lyon and number 11 Josh Hazlewood, the left-hander eventually being caught at slip for a monumental knock, that included 21 fours and a six, while he spent close to eight hours at the crease absorbing 397 deliveries.

The tourists came to the bowling crease with a spring in their step and, with the KZN cloud cover rolling in, Hazlewood had Ryan Rickelton caught at third slip in the second over - the left-handed opener would be disappointed at chasing a wide delivery that was angled across him.

Aiden Markram hit three crisp boundaries while the Proteas new Test number 3 David Bedingham also hit two fours, and will resume on the third day looking to eat further into the deficit.