Why Matt Renshaw thought he'd never use his baggy green again

Matthew Renshaw’s sensational century in Durban carries more than just it’s weight on the Test match.

3567 days without a Test hundred, 30-year-old Renshaw thought his time in Test cricket was all but over.

In 2023, after a five-year spell, Renshaw was recalled to the international Test setup to face India, controversially replacing Travis Head at number five.

The left-hand bat managed just nine runs across three matches, including a golden duck in his first innings in Nagpur and two runs in his second innings as Australia were sent packing to open the series.

He was subsequently dropped from the side, sparking yet another extensive hiatus from the Test team.

Heading into the 2026/27 summer, sensational Shield form held Renshaw in good stead, and with Australia’s ongoing issues at the top of the order, the left-hander was recalled to open in the Second Test against Bangladesh, replacing a struggling Jake Weatherald.

It didn’t quite go to plan for Renshaw, making just eight runs in Mackay as Australia cruised to victory.

Holding his spot in the side ahead of their South African tour, the Queenslander was handed a new challenge ahead of the first Test; thrown back in at number five for the first time since his disaster in Nagpur.

And with Australia in a perilous position following a top-order disaster, Matt Renshaw mounted a knock for the ages.

190 off 397 balls, the South African attack ran out of ideas, as Renshaw partnered brilliantly with the lower order to steady the ship and send Australia into a commanding lead in Durban.

“It was pretty special to be able to get it done after 10 years without one,” Renshaw told SEN Cricket.

“The one in Zimbabwe was nice, getting an international (ton), but the Test one was certainly something I wasn't expecting to get another opportunity to do.

“To get it pretty quickly in this time has been nice.”

Reflecting on his time out of the Test setup, Renshaw revealed his genuine concerns that he would never find his way back into the red-ball format.

“You look back at all the really dark moments where you feel like you're never going to play professional cricket again, let alone Test cricket,” he continued.

“It's one of those that you look back on why you play. You do it for your family, for your teammates back in Queensland.

“A few years ago, after 2023 where I didn't get the runs I'd have liked, I made an off-hand comment to my wife saying I'd put the baggy green away and never use it again.

“She thought that meant I was done, and said she had a great Christmas idea, to put it in a glass box!”

Despite being recalled in attempt to mend Australia’s top order woes, Renshaw slotted in at five to allow for Nic Maddinson to open the batting.

While the Maddinson gamble wasn’t one that paid off, Renshaw’s move to the middle order was certainly a success.

“I'm not too fussed (where I bat),” he said.

“Whatever the boys need me to do. Hopefully I can do a job wherever I'm batting.”

The knock was accompanied by a superb supporting cast, with Renshaw particularly noting the contribution of Nathan Lyon.

Forming a ninth-wicket partnership of 134, Renshaw and Lyon racked up the highest Australian ninth wicket stand since 1894-95.

“He was really good,” Renshaw said of Lyon.

“He was keeping me in check at times, I was keeping him in check at times. It was nice, the way we played it.

“We had a lot of different tactics depending on which bowler was bowling.

“There were a few moments where I thought I've just got to take as many balls as I can, especially the quicker guys.

“There were a few times where I got hit in the head and told Nath that he owes me a beer, I took every ball off him! It was just trying to mitigate the risk for Nathan.”

While the moment finally arrived, it isn’t time to rest for Renshaw.

“Hopefully I can continue with the way that it's gone.

“You don't want to count your chickens now - you just want to keep trying to do the best for the team, whatever the situation.”

Australia ended day two all out for 390, with Josh Hazlewood taking the wicket of Ryan Rickelman just before the end of the day’s play.

Poor lighting continues to play a part as South Africa now find themselves on the back foot, set to open day three at 27-1.

The action continues tonight from 6pm across SEN's radio network and on the SEN app.