Australia batter Matt Renshaw finally ended his long wait for a Test century, reaching the milestone after nine years and 279 days during the ongoing Test series against South Africa in Durban. The left-handed batter produced a composed innings under pressure, helping Australia recover after an early collapse against the defending World Test champions. South Africa made an impressive start in the opening Test, with their bowlers dismissing Australian openers Nic Maddinson and Travis Head in quick succession.
Australia found themselves struggling at 24/2, placing the visitors under immediate pressure. However, Renshaw stood firm at the crease, rebuilding the innings and keeping the scoreboard moving. His century proved particularly significant given the length of time since his previous Test hundred.
Renshaw made his Test debut on November 24, 2016, and scored his maiden century against Pakistan in Sydney on January 3, 2017. It came in only his fourth Test appearance and marked the beginning of a promising international career. Although the Queensland batter produced several valuable performances for Australia in the years that followed, a second Test century remained elusive. His latest hundred ended a drought lasting nine years and 279 days.
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According to CODE Sports journalist Daniel Cherny, only four Australian men’s cricketers have waited longer between Test centuries. In a post on X, Cherny noted that three of those extended gaps were linked to the First World War, while the fourth involved Bob Simpson’s return from retirement.
The four Australian batters who endured longer gaps between Test centuries than Renshaw were Warren Bardsley, Warwick Armstrong, Charlie Macartney and Bob Simpson. Bardsley, Armstrong and Macartney saw their careers affected by the First World War, which disrupted international cricket for several years. Simpson’s case was different, as he returned to international cricket after coming out of retirement in 1977.
Only four Australian men have waited longer than Matt Renshaw (9 years, 279 days) between Test tons. Three of them were because of World War I, and the other was Bob Simpson who came out of retirement.
HT CricViz
https://t.co/zlESkf5ncx— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) October 10, 2026
According to ESPN records, Simpson scored a Test century against India on December 30, 1967, before registering his next hundred against the same opposition on December 16, 1977.
Bardsley holds the record for the longest gap between two Test centuries among the players mentioned, waiting 13 years and 346 days. Indian cricketer Syed Mushtaq Ali also features prominently in the historical list, having endured a gap of 12 years and 159 days between Test hundreds.
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Former Australia opener Simon Katich praised Renshaw for remaining composed and delivering when his team needed him most. The century was especially valuable given Australia’s difficult start against South Africa’s bowling attack. “What I’ve liked is his composure. For him, there’ll be jubilation because he’s done it under pressure in a big series,” Katich said. Renshaw’s innings marked a significant personal milestone while giving Australia a much-needed platform in a challenging Test contest.
