Australian batsman Matt Renshaw has made Test cricket history at Kingsmead, Durban. He broke Virat Kohli’s long-standing world record for the most runs scored in a single Test innings in partnership with lower-order batsmen (tail-enders).
In the first Test match against South Africa, Renshaw played a magnificent innings of 190 runs—a truly memorable knock in his career. He combined with Australia’s lower-order batsmen to forge excellent partnerships totaling 174 runs.
Matt Renshaw breaks Virat Kohli’s record
With this feat, Renshaw surpassed the previous record of 171 runs, set by former Indian captain Virat Kohli during his brilliant 235-run innings against England at the Wankhede Stadium in 2016.
Australia appeared to be in a precarious position on the first day after their top order faltered, leaving them at 124 for 6. Facing a daunting challenge, Renshaw steadied the innings by rotating the strike with remarkable composure and intelligence.
His monumental rear-guard effort was bolstered by two game-changing partnerships with the lower order. First, Renshaw shared an 86-run stand with captain Pat Cummins. He then combined with Nathan Lyon for a magnificent 134-run partnership for the ninth wicket—Australia’s second-highest ninth-wicket stand in Test history. These partnerships completely transformed the match, lifting Australia from the brink of collapse to a formidable first-innings total of 390. Renshaw’s marathon innings ended at 190 runs
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Renshaw’s marathon innings came to an end at 190 runs when he was caught in the slips off the bowling of off-spinner Simon Harmer. This score surpassed his previous Test best of 184, achieved against Pakistan at the SCG in January 2017.
Coming nearly nine years after his maiden Test century, this performance not only cements Renshaw’s international comeback but also places Australia in a commanding position at Kingsmead, leaving South Africa in trouble at 27 for 1 by the close of play on day two. Play on the third day has also commenced; at the time of writing, South Africa are 107 for 4, still trailing by 283 runs.
