Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Matt Renshaw’s first Test century in nearly a decade has rescue Australia from their poor start to 8-277 in the first innings against South Africa in Durban.
Moved to No.5 to accommodate Nic Maddinson’s selection as opener, Renshaw brought up his second Test ton just before lunch on day two of the first Test on Saturday.
It came after an 84-run stand from Renshaw and Pat Cummins rescued Australia from 6-124, with Renshaw and Nathan Lyon then adding an unbeaten 47 for the ninth wicket.
So good was Renshaw’s innings, Australia may now have another selection headache after Maddinson’s 33-ball duck on Friday left him in a precarious position.
If Renshaw is this settled in the middle order, can they afford to move the Queenslander back to open once Cameron Green or Josh Inglis comes back into the side?
For now, though, Australia will be relieved to have him at No.5.
Renshaw scored 71 in his second Test against Pakistan back in December 2016, before accumulating 184 when he scored his first Test ton as a 20-year-old that summer.
But nine months later he found himself out of the side after difficult tours of India and Bangladesh, with this his third recall since then.
Brought back into the side against Bangladesh as a 30-year-old in Darwin in August, Renshaw looks a far more complete cricketer.
And this was by far his best Test innings, on a Durban wicket that has offered enough for the bowlers.
He was busy against the spin early, and hit four of his 10 boundaries behind square on the legside.
After bringing up his half-century in the first over on Saturday, Renshaw got through a tough period with the second new ball just after Cummins (43) fell.
But as the morning went on Renshaw became more comfortable, cover-driving and cutting Anrich Nortje for two boundaries in one over.
He then hit his 204th ball from Marco Jansen to the long-on boundary to bring up his century, prompting a long embrace with Lyon and meaningful celebration.
