Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Matt Renshaw’s return to the Test century-makers’ list came after a wait of nine and a half years, but his innings at Kingsmead was about more than ending a personal drought. It also reflected how his approach to the game has evolved since he first broke into the Australian side.
Renshaw brought up his second Test century against South Africa on Saturday, having last reached three figures against Pakistan in Sydney in January 2017. His unbeaten 102 at lunch on Day 2 had helped Australia recover from a difficult position, with the visitors reaching 277/8 after 96 overs.
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The century also ended a long wait for Australia, marking their first Test hundred on South African soil since 2014 and their first at Kingsmead since 2009.
A DIFFERENT APPROACH
Renshaw’s return to three figures has been a long time coming. Speaking on the Unplayable Podcast earlier, the left-hander reflected on the pressure he placed on himself while trying to establish his place in the Australian Test side.
“I had red-ball cricket on such a pedestal for a long time,” Renshaw said. “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.”
He is now looking to carry that uncomplicated approach into the longest format, having recognised how his desire to succeed in Test cricket affected his game.
Renshaw also recalled the difficulty of stepping into an international dressing room alongside players he had admired growing up. The experience brought its own pressures, and he admitted that he initially struggled to manage them.
“I’d been thrust into this international environment with some of my heroes,” Renshaw said. “And I didn’t really know how to cope with that.”
The batter believes he is now better equipped to handle that internal pressure, allowing him to focus on the task at hand rather than the expectations surrounding him.
HOLDING FIRM
That composure was crucial as Australia attempted to recover from a difficult opening day. Having won the toss and elected to bat, the visitors slipped to 84/4 before reaching 124/6, leaving Renshaw with plenty of work to do.
His opportunity came after Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed leg-before-wicket off the final ball of the first session on Friday. Renshaw had the lunch interval to prepare before walking out to bat, using the break to adjust to the light and get his body moving.
“I was getting my eyes used to the light, get the body moving how I wanted to,” the 30-year-old said.
Renshaw remained unbeaten on 46 when bad light brought an early end to Friday’s play, with Australia at 187/6 after 24.4 fewer overs than scheduled. Captain Pat Cummins was alongside him on 33 not out, and the pair had helped stabilise an innings that had threatened to unravel.
Cummins added another 10 runs on Saturday before being caught at slip off Wiaan Mulder. Their 86-run partnership for the seventh wicket had provided Australia with some much-needed resistance, but the South African attack continued to strike.
Mulder finished the morning session with four wickets for 51 runs, while Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje claimed two wickets apiece. Mitchell Starc also fell to Mulder for six.
Renshaw, however, continued to hold his end together. After completing his half-century off 117 balls, he brought up his century from 204 deliveries. At lunch on Saturday, he was unbeaten on 102, having struck 10 fours, with Nathan Lyon on seven at the other end.
READY FOR ANYTHING
Renshaw’s adaptability has become an important part of his game as Australia adjust their combinations to suit different conditions. He pointed to the movement within the batting order, including Travis Head’s promotion to opener, as an example of the flexibility required at international level.
“I just prepare as much as I can for whatever. With the one-dayers … it shows I can be pretty versatile,” Renshaw said, as quoted by the Australian Associated Press.
He acknowledged that waiting for an opportunity to bat can be particularly challenging, especially after spending time away from red-ball cricket. He also noted how a batter can lose rhythm when a morning session stretches into the afternoon.
For Renshaw, the innings at Kingsmead has demanded patience as much as skill. After years of putting pressure on himself to succeed in Test cricket, he is trying to bring the freedom of his white-ball game into the longer format.
His century has ended a wait that stretched back to 2017. With Australia still looking to build a competitive first-innings total, Renshaw’s task on Saturday is not yet complete.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
