Matt Renshaw produced the innings of his life on Saturday, grinding out a magnificent career-best 190 to drag Australia from the depths of despair to a commanding 390 all out on day two of the first Test at Kingsmead.

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The left-hander’s marathon knock transformed the complexion of the match after the tourists had limped to 187 for six overnight, with South Africa seemingly poised to skittle the tail and seize control in Durban.

Instead, Renshaw batted like a man possessed, combining with Nathan Lyon for a record-breaking ninth-wicket partnership of 134 that sent the Proteas scrambling for answers and gave Australia’s bowlers something substantial to defend.

The stand eclipsed the previous record for a ninth-wicket partnership between these nations in Test cricket, a statistic that barely does justice to the patience and skill required to compile it.

Renshaw’s dismissal, edging off-spinner Simon Harmer to slip off the second ball after tea, ended an innings that will be remembered as one of the great Australian rearguard actions.

Lyon plays perfect foil in record partnership

When Lyon strode to the crease in the second over after lunch with the eighth wicket having fallen at 230, South Africa could almost taste a quick finish. The second new ball was doing just enough, and with only the tail remaining, a total somewhere around 250 seemed the likely outcome.

What followed defied all expectations. Renshaw, batting at number five, took command of the partnership with an almost flawless display of concentration and shot selection, hogging the strike whilst Lyon defended doggedly at the other end.

The pitch, which had offered plenty of assistance to the seamers on day one when Australia slumped to 124 for six, had lost much of its venom. Renshaw exploited the gentler conditions brilliantly, rotating the strike when necessary and punishing anything loose.

Lyon’s contribution shouldn’t be understated. His 27 might not grab headlines, but his willingness to occupy the crease and absorb pressure allowed Renshaw the freedom to bat with increasing fluency as the partnership blossomed.

The pair added 134 invaluable runs that shifted the momentum decisively in Australia’s favour, turning what looked like a modest first-innings total into something far more competitive.

Comeback king delivers when it matters

Renshaw’s knock carries extra significance given his chequered Test career. The 29-year-old has endured two lengthy spells in the international wilderness, dropped and recalled as selectors grappled with Australia’s perennial top-order issues.

His recall for the previous Test against Bangladesh in August raised eyebrows in some quarters, but on this evidence, the selectors got it absolutely right. Batting at number five rather than his customary opening position.

His preparation proved crucial. Knowing he’d be in immediately after lunch following the third-wicket dismissal off the final ball before the interval during day one, Renshaw faced around 20 deliveries in the nets to ensure he was ready for battle.

That attention to detail paid handsome dividends as he navigated the challenging second-new-ball period before accelerating once he and Lyon had weathered the storm.

South Africa’s missed opportunity

For the Proteas, it’s a case of what might have been. Having reduced Australia to 124 for six on day one through excellent seam bowling from Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and the returning Anrich Nortje, they were perfectly positioned to restrict the tourists to a below-par total.

Instead, they watched Renshaw and Lyon frustrate their attack for session after session, the wicket offering little assistance as the ball softened and the pitch flattened out.

Harmer eventually claimed the prized scalp when Renshaw edged to slip, but by then the damage was done. Australia had added 203 runs for the loss of four wickets on day two, completely altering the complexion of the match.

The total of 390 gives Australia’s bowlers something to work with, particularly if the pitch continues to deteriorate. What looked like a potential South African advantage on the first evening has morphed into a genuine contest, and Renshaw deserves all the credit.