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Renshaw puts Australia on top as South Africa face 421 in Durban
Matt Renshaw followed his 190 with 82 and a first Test wicket. South Africa ended day four on 102 for 4, needing 319 more on the final day at Kingsmead.
Key points
- Australia declared on 314 for 6, setting South Africa 421 to win the first Test.
- Matt Renshaw has 272 runs in the match and dismissed captain Temba Bavuma.
- South Africa are 102 for 4, with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 45.
Matt Renshaw has had the kind of Test most batters only imagine. After a career-best 190 in the first innings at Kingsmead, the Australian opener made 82 in the second, then took his first Test wicket, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma. By the close of day four on Monday, South Africa were 102 for 4, chasing 421, and Australia were six wickets from victory.
Australia push on
Leading by 106 on first innings after making 390 to South Africa’s 284, Australia batted with urgency on Monday. Renshaw was the anchor again until Keshav Maharaj held a sharp return catch to end his innings. Nic Maddinson, out for a duck in the first innings, made 48 off 38 balls, and Marnus Labuschagne made 37 for the second time in the match.
Steve Smith was hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Anrich Nortje and was checked for concussion. He made 27 before falling to Simon Harmer, and did not take the field afterwards. Pat Cummins then hit four sixes in an unbeaten 32 off 12 balls, Beau Webster finished on 39 not out, and Australia declared on 314 for 6 just before tea.
South Africa lose their way
Josh Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton for 2 early in the chase. Renshaw, given the ball, had Bavuma caught at short leg for 1, and Cummins found the edge of Tristan Stubbs, caught behind by Alex Carey for 1. David Bedingham, who made 49 in the first innings, had reached 46 when Hazlewood trapped him lbw.
Aiden Markram has batted 115 balls for 45 not out, and Wiaan Mulder is with him on 5. Bavuma has led South Africa in 12 Tests since 2023, winning 11 and drawing one, and that unbeaten run is now in danger. Maharaj put some of the damage down to rust after 11 months without Test cricket, and spoke of “a couple of soft dismissals”.
Hazlewood expects a long final day for his bowlers.
It’s a grind so hopefully a few cracks open up.
What’s next
South Africa need 319 more runs on Tuesday with six wickets in hand. Australia may have to manage without Smith in the field as they try to finish the job.