When Simon Katich walked into Kingsmead Stadium on Friday, he was swift to pull his mobile phone out to capture a monument to one of his fondest memories as a cricketer.
Matt Renshaw’s epic 190 helps Australia turn tables on South Africa in Durban
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.
Continue reading...Where monster ton ranks among Aussie epics as ‘bullseye’ sparks new selection dilemma
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.
‘His moment’: Renshaw’s decade-long Test journey comes full circle with epic redemption
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.
Records shattered as marathon century, wild stand inspire Aussie ‘recovery for the ages’
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.
‘Franchise cricket isn’t as rewarding’: Jonathan Trott on Lions pride and England ambitions
Former Test batter and Afghanistan coach is taking the Lions abroad and is telling his players to ‘be smart’
Jonathan Trott pretty much entered Ashes folklore from the outset, scoring a series-winning century on his Test debut at the Oval back in 2009. Less spoken about, but just as relevant to the latest move in his upwardly mobile coaching career, is the first time he pulled on an England shirt two years earlier.
Drafted into the Twenty20 side for a low-key home series against West Indies, Trott knew only Ian Bell from Warwickshire and, out of his comfort zone, walked away with scores of nine and two. The difference two years on? Playing cricket in the finishing school of the Lions setup that he has recently taken charge of.
Continue reading...Major selection headache looms after Aussie bombshell. One man might have to pay the price
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.
‘Throwing darts’: Great rips Aus selection gamble as image exposes glaring cricket problem
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.
Captain Cummins leads vital fightback as all too familiar Aussie tale rears ugly head
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.
Renshaw keeps Australia’s hopes intact against South Africa after Maddinson gamble fails
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.
Continue reading...‘That’s the thinking’: Lid lifted on shock reshuffle as under-fire Aussie backed in
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.
Next-gen Aussies run riot again as young guns seal India series in another demolition
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.
Aussie star’s four-wicket blitz as ‘electric’ young gun powers brutal ODI demolition
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.
‘Get the sandpaper out’: Smith’s unexpected reception in moment everyone was waiting for
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.
Aussies reeling after fiery quick’s three-ball burst ends resistance — LIVE
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!