Cricket

Renshaw delivers again as Australia close on win

October 12, 2026

Australia’s Matt Renshaw dominated the first Test in Durban, extending his stellar form with an 89 in the second innings to help his team post 314-6 and set South Africa a daunting 421-run target. The 30-year-old, returning after a three-year absence, also claimed his first Test wicket by dismissing Temba Bavuma with a part-time off-spin delivery, while captain Pat Cummins engineered a tactical declaration by trapping Tristan Stubbs with a clever nick off a full ball.

South Africa, chasing a record-equalling total, were reduced to 102-4 at stumps, with opener Aiden Markram (45*) and David Bedingham (46) sharing a fragile partnership as the Proteas faced a near-impossible task. With only two teams surviving 140 overs to save a Test in the past decade, South Africa’s chances hinge on Markram’s resilience—he remains undismissed against Nathan Lyon in 313 Test balls and has the highest fourth-innings average among active players (45.56).

Australia’s aggressive approach, including Renshaw’s aggressive strokeplay, left South Africa scrambling against a pitch offering increasing turn, while Steve Smith’s absence due to a helmet injury adds further pressure on the tourists.