South Africa were left frustrated on the second day of the opening Test against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban, as Matt Renshaw’s outstanding 190 helped the visitors recover from a difficult position to post 390 in their first innings.
The Proteas had Australia struggling at 187/6 on the opening day and reduced them further to 230/8 on Saturday morning. However, a stubborn ninth-wicket partnership between Renshaw and Nathan Lyon allowed Australia to take control of the contest.
South Africa then suffered an early setback with the bat, reaching 27/1 in 8.4 overs before bad light interrupted play, leaving them trailing by 363 runs.
Having dominated much of the opening day with the ball, the Proteas resumed on Saturday looking to dismiss Australia’s remaining four batters quickly.
Wiaan Mulder provided the ideal start when he removed Australian captain Pat Cummins for 43. Cummins, who had resumed on 33, edged a delivery to Aiden Markram at second slip, ending an important 86-run partnership with Renshaw.
Mulder struck again when he bowled Mitchell Starc for six with a delivery that moved away off the seam and crashed into the stumps.
At 230/8, South Africa were well positioned to restrict Australia to a total below 300.
However, the Proteas struggled to finish off the innings as Renshaw found valuable support from Lyon.
Renshaw, who had resumed the day unbeaten on 46, reached his century from 204 deliveries. The Australian left-hander showed patience and discipline against a South African attack that had caused considerable problems for the visitors throughout the opening day.
By lunch, Australia had recovered to 277/8, with Renshaw unbeaten on 102 and Lyon on seven.
The afternoon session proved particularly frustrating for the Proteas as the ninth-wicket pair continued to occupy the crease.
Despite the efforts of Mulder, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje and the spin combination of Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, South Africa struggled to find the breakthrough needed to bring the innings to a close.
Renshaw continued to accumulate runs, reaching his 150 from 311 deliveries, while Lyon played an important supporting role.
The pair eventually added 134 runs for the ninth wicket, taking Australia from 230/8 to 364/9.
It was a costly partnership for South Africa, who had worked themselves into a commanding position through their disciplined bowling performances across the first day and the opening stages of the second.
Jansen eventually ended the resistance when he trapped Lyon LBW for 27 from 92 deliveries.
However, Renshaw continued to frustrate the Proteas alongside Josh Hazlewood, taking Australia to 390/9 at tea.
Harmer finally brought the innings to an end shortly after the interval, dismissing Renshaw for 190 when Markram completed the catch at slip.
Renshaw faced 397 deliveries, striking 21 fours and a six in an innings that transformed Australia’s position in the match.
Mulder was South Africa’s most successful bowler, finishing with 4/68 from 27 overs. Jansen claimed 3/68 from 31 overs, while Nortje returned figures of 2/88. Harmer finished with 1/68.
Although the Proteas produced several impressive spells with the ball, their inability to dismiss Australia’s lower order allowed the visitors to add 160 runs after the eighth wicket fell.
South Africa were then immediately placed under pressure when their first innings began.
Ryan Rickelton was dismissed for a duck in the second over, edging Josh Hazlewood to Beau Webster to leave the Proteas on 0/1.
The early wicket brought David Bedingham to the crease alongside Markram, with the pair tasked with rebuilding South Africa’s innings.
Markram showed positive intent, striking three boundaries on his way to 15 not out from 27 deliveries, while Bedingham contributed an unbeaten 12 from 22 balls.
The pair added 27 runs before bad light forced the players from the field with South Africa on 27/1 after 8.4 overs.
The Proteas now face an important third day as they look to respond to Australia’s substantial first-innings total.
South Africa will be disappointed with how the match has developed after reducing Australia to 124/6 on Friday and 230/8 on Saturday morning.
The inability to finish off the Australian innings has left the hosts facing a significant first-innings deficit, placing greater responsibility on their batting lineup.
Markram and Bedingham will need to build a substantial partnership when play resumes, with captain Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs and the rest of the middle order still to come.
For South Africa, the immediate priority will be to bat for an extended period and avoid allowing Australia’s bowlers to build on their early breakthrough.
While the Proteas remain in the contest, they will need a strong batting response on Day 3 to regain some of the momentum they surrendered during Australia’s lower-order recovery.
Day 2 scores (bad light)
Australia: 390 all out (137.2 overs)
Matt Renshaw 190, Pat Cummins 43, Marnus Labuschagne 37
South Africa bowling: Wiaan Mulder 4/68, Marco Jansen 3/68, Anrich Nortje 2/88
South Africa: 27/1 (8.4 overs)
Aiden Markram 15*, David Bedingham 12*
Australia bowling: Josh Hazlewood 1/9
South Africa trail by 363 runs with nine first-innings wickets remaining.
