Renshaw Hits Second Test Century in Durban Test Rescue

Matthew Renshaw rescued Australia with a century at Kingsmead against South Africa, reaching his second Test hundred after a nine-year gap while batting at No.5 following a late selection change before the match.

According to cricket.com.au, Renshaw's innings ended a drought of 3,567 days since his first Test century against Pakistan. The milestone came 9 years, 9 months and 5 days after his previous hundred.

According to cricket.com.au, Renshaw became the third Australian with the longest gap between men's Test centuries, behind Warren Bardsley and Bill Brown. His 9-year, 280-day gap followed their longer intervals.

Renshaw reached the milestone with a flick off his pads, which cricket.com.au reported was his most productive shot during the innings. He also left 28 percent of deliveries faced.

Cricket.com.au reported that Renshaw's leave percentage was the highest by an Australian innings of at least 100 balls faced since Nathan McSweeney during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Renshaw said his approach was shaped by improvements in white-ball cricket after he scored his maiden ODI century against Zimbabwe the previous month.

"I had red-ball cricket on such a pedestal for a long time," Renshaw told the Unplayable Podcast.

Renshaw explained that his mindset changed while trying to return to Australia's Test team, contrasting his previous pressure with his white-ball approach.

"And trying to get into that Australian team, I tried too hard. Whereas my white ball (game) was nice and relaxed. Just watch the ball, hit the ball." Renshaw told the Unplayable Podcast.

Renshaw connected the lessons from limited-overs cricket to his Test performance after moving into the middle order. He had been shifted from opening after the team recalled Nic Maddinson.

"So, I'm trying to bring that into my red-ball game as well." Renshaw told the Unplayable Podcast.

Cricket.com.au reported that Renshaw also reflected on one false shot during the first day, describing the wild swing he "thankfully played and missed" while maintaining his patient approach.