Matt Renshaw breaks Virat Kohli’s decade-old record with stunning 190 in Durban

Matt Renshaw's 190-run innings in the Durban Test provided Australia with a blueprint for batting success. His deceptively simple approach of stillness, balance, patience, and concentration was the key to his performance. Renshaw, a burly Queenslander, helped Australia achieve a first-innings total of 390, a significant improvement from his initial shaky start.

His innings, spanning 465 minutes, was the highest by an Australian in Durban, the fourth highest overall against South Africa, and the best by a number-five in any nation at Kingsmead. Renshaw's batting also restored belief in the value of grinding out an innings of depth and character, a crucial aspect in the current era of fast-paced cricket.

Despite facing formidable opposition from South Africa's spin attack and quicks, Renshaw managed to curb their influence. His partnership with Nathan Lyon for 134 runs was particularly significant, signaling a return to traditional batting philosophies. This innings, marked by its duration and resilience, may encourage more Test batsmen to aim for long innings, especially in the context of the World Test Championship.