Category: Cricket

• Renshaw’s century was his first in Tests for nine years

• Lyon helps build second-highest ninth-wicket partnership

If the choice to ask Nic Maddinson to open in Durban was a bust, the upside for Australia was that it pushed Matthew Renshaw down to number five. From there, the Queenslander returned from 10 years on the periphery to the centre of the spotlight in the first Test against South Africa, with an innings of 190 that saved Australia from peril, settled them into stability, then lifted them to dominance.

Staunch support from the lower order was the other part of the equation, as Renshaw batted through two extended sessions until he was last man out, just after tea, with Australia’s 390 followed by South Africa’s 27 for one before stumps.

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Matt Renshaw’s marathon century put Australia ahead of the game on a remarkable second day’s play in the first Test against South Africa in Durban.

In the third coming of Matthew Renshaw as a Test cricketer, the versatile batter demonstrated the importance of resilience and perseverance with a critical century against South Africa that could yet swing the series Australia’s way.

Matt Renshaw’s incredible 190 lifted Australia to a position of strength on day two of the first Test in Durban with the tourists bowled for 390 from 137.2 overs before bad light stopped play with South Africa 1/27.

There was a silver lining to Australia’s shock decision to recall Nic Maddinson and promote him to the top of the order for the first Test against South Africa.

Australia’s latest selection gamble has come under fire after another shaky batting display against South Africa, with Pat Cummins’ call to embrace the “grind” again put to the test.

A fighting partnership from Matt Renshaw (46*) and captain Pat Cummins (33*) saved Australia from embarrassment before bad light brought an early end to the opening day’s play of the first Test against South Africa in Durban at 3.22pm local time.

• Opener’s painful duck gets tourists’ series off to bad start

• Renshaw and Cummins keep hosts’ attack at bay

If we accept that sporting tenures are results-based, then the Australian selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide should be conferring with the coach Andrew McDonald to submit a mass resignation. The opening moments of the first Test in Durban were enough to return the predictable harvest of one of the most bizarre selection decisions ever made for the national XI, with Nic Maddinson bowled for a torturous 33-ball duck, early impetus for Australia’s slide to 187 for 6 by the time bad light ended play.

Maddinson should not have lasted half that long, nailed on the pad by Wiaan Mulder after 15 balls but spared by umpire error and a timid South African non-review. Even that huge slice of luck never looked like becoming anything more. His innings went nowhere, shuffling, defensive, missing opportunities on his legs, dealing in extras. His only shots were a few cuts hurled at wild width, all air-swings until the bottom edge that took out his stumps.

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With Australia’s hopes of posting a significant first innings score in Durban resting on his shoulders, Matt Renshaw declared he had no worries with being moved around the batting order as criticism mounted on Friday.

Australia A has secured the ODI series against India A, cruising to a 69-run victory in the second match of the three-game series.

Australia has made a dominant start to its three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, cruising to a seven-wicket victory with 146 balls remaining in Brisbane.

It was the most highly anticipated return in cricket, one that had an admittedly meagre crowd in Durban on the edge of their seats as they warmed up their vocal chords.

Anrich Nortje struck twice in three balls to put Australia in deep trouble as the tourists limped to 6/149 at tea on day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban. Live updates below!

Nic Maddinson’s remarkable return to Test cricket has begun with a rusty knock, with the Aussie opener dismissed for a 33-ball duck in the first Test against South Africa.