SA vs AUS, 1st Test: Renshaw scores 190 as Australia leads South Africa by 363 runs on Day 2

Australia’s Matt Renshaw reached his second Test hundred in the morning session of Day 2 of the first Test against South Africa. | Photo Credit: AP

Matt Renshaw scored a career-best 190 runs to propel Australia to 390 all out in its first innings of the first cricket Test against South Africa on Saturday.

Renshaw faced 397 deliveries in his marathon innings, hitting 21 fours and a six, as he stitched crucial lower-order partnerships to rescue Australia from 124-6 (on Day 1).

Nathan Lyon scored 27 off 92 balls, adding 134 runs off 283 balls for the ninth wicket with Renshaw, as Australia defied South Africa for much of Day 2.

South Africa finished the day at 27-1 (8.4 overs) with Australia leading by 363 runs. Play was cut short once again on Day 2, this time by 14.2 overs. Nearly 25 overs were lost on Day 1’s third session.

At stumps, David Bedingham (12 not out) and Aiden Markram (15 not out) were the unbeaten batters for the hosts. Ryan Rickelton fell for a three-ball duck, caught off Josh Hazlewood.

Earlier in the day, Australia began at overnight 187-3, with skipper Pat Cummins (33) adding 10 runs to his overnight score. Wiaan Mulder picked two in the morning session, finishing with 4-68 in 27 overs.

Renshaw reached his second Test hundred in the morning session — coming off 204 balls. His previous and only other hundred had come against Pakistan in 2017 — 184 in Sydney.

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Australia went to lunch at 277-8, recovering from Day 1’s collapse, as Lyon hung around with Renshaw — the duo added 47 off 87 balls. They continued batting for nearly another session, putting on 100 off 213 balls, of which Lyon contributed only 17 runs.

Australia crossed 300 in the second session, which seemed unlikely on Day 1 when it was down to 84-4 after opting to bat.

Renshaw completed 150 off 311 balls as the tea break came at 390-9. Marco Jansen (3-68) finally got the breakthrough by trapping Lyon LBW in the 129th over.

Renshaw notched up his Test career-best before the tea break and added 26 off 52 balls with Hazlewood (5 not out) to push Australia’s first innings close to 400.

Renshaw finally fell — out caught at slip to Simon Harmer — in the 138th over, scripting Australia’s turnaround.

South Africa is the reigning world Test champion, having beaten Australia in the 2025 final. It is Australia’s first trip to the country since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.