Australia recovered from a precarious position to take control of the first Test against South Africa in Durban, thanks to a career-best 190 from Matt Renshaw.
Renshaw's marathon innings helped the visitors reach 390 all out after they had slumped to 124-6.
South Africa closed their reply at 27-1 before bad light stopped play, leaving Australia with an early advantage in the five-day contest.
Renshaw faced 397 balls during an innings that lasted 465 minutes, surpassing his previous Test best of 184 against Pakistan in January 2017.
It marked his second Test century, nearly a decade after his first.
The left-hander built an 86-run partnership with captain Pat Cummins before adding 134 runs with Nathan Lyon for the ninth wicket.
ESPNcricinfo reported that the stand was Australia's best ninth-wicket partnership since 1894.
Renshaw also added 21 runs with Josh Hazlewood before his dismissal.
Renshaw's innings began cautiously, with only three boundaries from his first 115 deliveries.
As the innings progressed, he expanded his stroke play, negotiated South Africa's pace attack and targeted the bowlers more aggressively while protecting Lyon from facing Anrich Nortje too frequently.
Former Australia batter Simon Katich praised Renshaw's approach on SEN Radio, saying, "I like him as a player."
Katich highlighted the batter's qualities despite earlier criticism of his defensive style.
"When he first came in, I liked him as a player, even though others thought he was too defensive."
"I think that is what this team has needed and been crying out for."
Renshaw made his Test debut at age 20 but struggled to establish a permanent place in the side.
Across 10 Tests during two spells, he averaged 19.41 before earning another opportunity earlier in 2026.
His latest performance strengthened his case to remain in Australia's Test plans.
Reflecting on the long road back to international cricket, Renshaw described the uncertainty he felt after previous opportunities failed to secure his position.
"A few years out of the team, I had the opportunity in 2023, you think [you're] never going to get the opportunity again," Renshaw said.
He also recalled the moment he realized his shot had carried him to three figures.
"When I hit the ball [to go to his hundred] I was screaming at it 'go, go, go'."
"It hit me all at once. It was pretty special."
Renshaw's selection at No. 5 followed Cameron Green's injury during the one-day international series.
Australia instead promoted Nic Maddinson to open alongside Travis Head, but Maddinson's 33-ball duck on the first day intensified questions about the team's opening combination.
Green's expected return could force Australia to reconsider their batting order.
One option would be to move Renshaw back to opener, where he has performed for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield, while another would keep him at No. 5 and allow Green to replace fellow all-rounder Beau Webster.
Renshaw declined to speculate about his future role, emphasizing that selection decisions belonged to the team management.
"No idea," Renshaw said of the decision ahead. "That's well above my pay grade."
"Whatever is the best for the team is the one for me. I am not too fussed."
South Africa's response began poorly when Ryan Rickelton was dismissed for a three-ball duck, with Josh Hazlewood taking the wicket.
Aiden Markram remained unbeaten on 15 when bad light stopped play, while Hazlewood finished with figures of 1-9.
South Africa's bowlers had also struggled to contain Renshaw and the lower order.
ESPNcricinfo reported that spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer conceded a combined 143 runs for one wicket across 48.2 overs, managing only one maiden between them.
The series carries added significance after South Africa defeated Australia in last year's World Test Championship final.
The Durban match also forms part of Australia's preparations for a demanding run of Test cricket ahead of next summer's Ashes.
