Matt Renshaw was undoubtedly the star of the show, but several of his teammates provided very valuable contributions as Australia won the first Test against South Africa in Durban by 214 runs.

Renshaw was the only Australian to pass fifty in the match courtesy of his marathon 190 off 397 balls before following that masterpiece up with a more one-day like 82 off 99 as Australia charged towards setting the Proteas a target of 421.

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Most of Australia’s batters got a start under the belt and it would have been frustrated to not kick on, but once again the bowlers hardly set a foot wrong.

Their heroics for the match began with the bat to accompany Renshaw and then Australia’s champion quartet of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon issued a reminder ahead of a bumper year of Test cricket of why they have taken more than 600 Test wickets when playing in the same together – a record by almost 200 scalps.

Here are foxsports.com.au’s player ratings from the first Test against South Africa in Durban!

Maddo talks Test call-up with Howie | 07:01

TRAVIS HEAD — 2

9 & 11: 0/20

A tough Test match for one of Australia’s Ashes heroes. Was perhaps unlucky to be strangled down the leg side in the first innings, with the Proteas successfully overturning the on-field not out call via the DRS, but a leading edge to fall tamely in the second dig was disappointing. While hardly cause for a alarm, it follows a recent trend of chopping on where Head has fallen to technically incorrect shots. After failing to get a big score under his belt against Bangladesh, the calls will surely grow louder for Head, who is yet to score an away Test century, to return to the middle order despite belting three tons opening against England last summer.

NIC MADDINSON — 3

0 & 48

The most stunning Test call-up in a generation couldn’t have started much worse, but a quick fire second innings cameo was what the selectors were after. Maddinson enduring a torrid 33-ball stay on day one before chopping on for the longest ever duck by an Aussie opener. He had already had a life on his 15th delivery after the Proteas elected not to review a plumb LBW, too. “It was cruel to watch … he’s come back having not played Test cricket since 2016, been through illness, he’s had to fight mentally,” commentator Mark Nicholas said. Hooking Marco Jansen over square leg for four off his first ball late on day three came as a huge relief. The 34-year old then unleashed a rapid fire 38-ball 48 to add to Australia’s lead in quick time. He pounced on anything wide and flicked a six over square leg off Wiaan Mulder, but an Anrich Nortje yorker splattered his stumps to end his innings just shy of a maiden Test half-century.

Maddinson’s stumps splatter, out for 48 | 00:36

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE — 4

37 & 37: 0/6

Australia’s No.3 teased that the form that took him to the No.1 ranking in the world might be back, but failed to capitalise on a pair of starts. Labuschagne’s intent in the first innings and in the second dig when Australia chased quick runs was notably better than it was against Bangladesh and during the Ashes. But getting out for 37 in both innings, and the manner in which he fell on each occasion, will not keep the detractors at bay. He fell lbw to Wiaan Mulder on the last ball before lunch on day one. The South African-born Queenslander was perhaps a little unlucky with umpire’s call for impact ensuring the on field decision of out stood, but he enticed the pressure by shutting up shop in the final over before the break. In the second innings, he miscued a drive from spinner Keshav Maharaj to cover in a tame dismissal when Australia were well on top and pushing towards a declaration.

Marnus falls for 38 in second innings | 00:32

STEVE SMITH — 6

25 & 27

Smith unusually got started and got out in both innings with the bat, but his rating has been bumped up significantly by his brilliant catching. Smith took three stunning grabs in South Africa’s first innings that enhanced his reputation as one of the nation’s finest ever slip fielder. A genius piece of anticipation at slip to catch Temba Bavuma’s reverse sweep began the trilogy. He then flew in front of first slip to remove David Bedingham and pass Joe Root – again – for the all-time record for non-wicketkeeper catches. But it was his third, diving one-handed to snaffle a Kyle Vereynne reverse-sweep, that was the pick of the bunch. “That is from another planet!” commentator Mark Howard exclaimed. Meanwhile, Smith’s first innings dismissal to Marco Jansen, one ball after a blow to the gloves, was reminiscent of his battles with former New Zealand quick Neil Wagner as a left-armer banging the ball in back of a length was his undoing. Jansen triggered his dismissal in the second innings too, taking a juggling catch at long on as Smith attacked spinner Simon Harmer. Thankfully, the bouncer blow from Anrich Nortje that stopped him taking the field late on day four did not rule him out with concussion.

“THAT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!” | 01:30

MATT RENSHAW — 10

190 & 82; 2/30

The story of the match. Renshaw’s first Test ton in nearly a decade ranks among the greatest Australian overseas knocks of the modern era, having rescued the team from a perilous position at 6/124. Judging his leaves immaculately and whipping with fluency through mid-wicket, the Queenslander surpassed his previous best Test score of 184 with a superb 190 to set up a big first innings total. “He’s a different player and a more mature player,” former Australian women’s captain Alyssa Healy said of Renshaw, who rotated the strike impeccably to help Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon hang in at the other end. He followed it up with an excellent 82 to build Australia’s lead. Twins tons would have been fitting, but Renshaw still scored the most runs in a Test by an Australian since Marnus Labuschagne scored a double ton and a century against the West Indies in Perth in 2022. He also chipped in with his maiden Test wicket! “He’s having a hell of a week, and I think as Travis Head said, when you’re on a heater, you never leave a table,” Mitchell Starc said about Renshaw on Kayo Sports before play began on day five. Renshaw did not leave the table on the final day as he picked up a second scalp. The question remains: does he stay at No.5 for the long-term after the shock call to move him down the order was vindicated?

Every Boundary: Renshaw’s marathon ton | 10:17

ALEX CAREY — 3

14 & 24; 5 catches

Australia’s gloveman was undone by speedster Anrich Nortje in both innings. The quick’s angle across Alex Carey and high pace led to his dismissal in both innings. Carey nicked off on day one and then was late on a delivery that he played onto his stumps via his bottom edge when attempting to drive in the second innings. He had looked comfortable to that point on day four, but questions about whether he should slide back to No.7 will be raised after no scores of substance. There is no question over his wicketkeeping, however. After having little to do in the first innings, Carey took five catches in the second innings. On the final day, a diving catch down the leg side off Hazlewood and another coming forward to snaffle an inside edge via Aiden Markram’s pad were of high class.

Alex Carey executes perfect cover drive | 00:30

BEAU WEBSTER — 4

4 & 39*; 1/23 & 0/4

Questions will be asked over his place after Renshaw’s spectacular century further crowded the middle order. Webster managed just two balls in the first innings before an edge behind was successfully reviewed, while bowling just three of Australia’s 78 overs first up against the Proteas was a blow to his all-rounder status. “Does he hold onto his spot? He’s primarily picked as a batsman who bowls,” Mark Waugh told foxsports.com.au. The towering Tasmanian scored handy runs in the second innings, however, even if they only served to boost his own confidence.

“Obviously a fantastic story!” | 06:24

PAT CUMMINS (C) — 7

3/54 & 1/34; 43 & 32*

Once again came up clutch with the bat when his country needed him most, scoring 43 and putting on a game-turning 86-run partnership with Renshaw to spark a first innings recovery. Then enjoyed himself immensely on day four, clobbering four sixes in a cameo of 32 not out from just 12 balls to push the target beyond 400. Found great success with the short ball to winkle out Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder in quick succession on Day 3, with the latter falling hook, line and sinker for a bouncer trap the captain had set. Also, nabbed a handy wicket late on Day 4 to get rid of Stubbs again and kept things tight in the final innings. From a captaincy perspective, had an excellent game. Aside from leading from the front with the bat, timed the declaration well and several well-made plans were effective in the field.

Cummins hits 3 sixes before declaration | 00:58

MITCHELL STARC — 5

2/63 & 1/33; 6

Took the crucial scalp of Aiden Markram in both innings. Got him early on Day 3 when he lured the Proteas star into a thick edge snaffled by Steve Smith, and then again on Day 5 with the second new ball when an inside edge sailed through to Alex Carey off Markram’s pad. Those two blows were crucial in Australia’s charge to victory, but otherwise Starc had a quieter than unusual Test.

NATHAN LYON — 5

2/58 & 0/32; 27

A doughty 92-ball 27 combined with Matt Renshaw for Australia’s highest ninth-wicket stand since the 1890s to build what proved to be a first innings lead. While he had spectacular Steve Smith catches to thank for his two wickets for the match, Lyon bowled nicely but did not get the scalps he was expected to take. Former Australian leg spinner declared on Kayo Sports on day four that it was a “Nathan Lyon pitch”, but Josh Hazlewood did the damage as Renshaw took the spin wickets.

Renshaw’s stellar Test continues! | 00:52

JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 9

2/54 & 6/49; 5*

An absolutely outstanding performance in the fourth innings with a career-best haul. Got the ball rolling with two early wickets late on day four, ended almost two hours of resistance on the fifth morning by removing Wiaan Mulder, then cleaned up the tail with the second new ball to end the match. His delivery to knock over Marco Jansen was an absolute beauty, crashing into the top of middle stump after nipping in from outside off. Three balls later another rip snorter got rid of Simon Harmer as it flew through to Alex Carey. Characteristically accurate in the first innings, the veteran took just three balls to strike late on Day 2 to rubber-stamp a dominant Australian day and the next day took an excellent catch at fine leg to help Pat Cummins remove Tristan Stubbs. Hazlewood returned to the Test arena against Bangladesh and picked up a spirited six-wicket haul in a losing causing in Darwin, but this was a statement that the big quick is back after missing last summer’s Ashes.



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