Australia’s bowlers hunted in a pack on day three in Durban, bowling South Africa out for 284 to take a 106-run first-innings lead. Pat Cummins claimed 3 for 54, and Nic Maddinson and Travis Head finished on 33 without loss, stretching the advantage to 139.
Durban: South Africa resumed on 27 for 1, 363 runs behind after Matt Renshaw’s 190 had carried Australia to 390. They fought for much of the day, but by stumps the Test belonged to Australia. Five bowlers shared the ten wickets, and Nic Maddinson was already hooking Marco Jansen for four off the first ball he faced in the second innings.
Three morning wickets
Aiden Markram and David Bedingham began the day as South Africa’s overnight pair and set about rebuilding. Mitchell Starc broke through when Markram fell for 37. Temba Bavuma managed only 3 before Nathan Lyon had him caught by Steve Smith as he tried a reverse sweep. Bedingham, who top-scored with 49 off 73 balls, was caught by Smith at slip off Pat Cummins. South Africa reached lunch on 115 for 4.
Cummins strikes in consecutive overs
Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs added 56 for the fifth wicket after lunch. Mulder made 30 off 50 balls, with three fours and a six, and Stubbs 32. Cummins dismissed both in consecutive overs, each trying to take on his short ball, and South Africa were 155 for 6. Kyle Verreynne, on 13, was caught by Smith off Lyon, and Jansen’s rapid 26 off 20 balls, with six fours, ended when he pulled Josh Hazlewood. South Africa were 197 for 8.
Maharaj and Harmer lift the tail
The last two partnerships added 87 runs. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer put on 52 for the ninth wicket before Starc dismissed Maharaj for 34, chipping a drive to Cummins at mid-off. Harmer and Anrich Nortje then added 35 for the last wicket, with Harmer finishing unbeaten on 35 and Nortje out for 16 to Beau Webster. The innings closed on 284, 106 behind.
Cummins took 3 for 54 from 15 overs, with Lyon 2 for 58, Hazlewood 2 for 54, Starc 2 for 63 and Webster 1 for 23.
Maddinson starts fast
Australia’s second innings lasted just 5.4 overs before bad light ended play, with nearly 13 overs lost on the day. Maddinson hooked Jansen’s first ball for four, then hit Mulder over the leg side for six. He finished on 17 not out off 19 balls, with Head on 10 off 15, and Australia led by 139.
The match has been shaped by Renshaw’s career-best 190 and a Durban-record ninth-wicket stand that took Australia from 187 for 6 on a first day cut short by bad light to 390. Poor light has now interrupted all three days, which makes every dry session count.
Day three summary: South Africa 284 all out (Bedingham 49, Markram 37, Maharaj 34, Harmer 35*, Stubbs 32, Mulder 30, Jansen 26, Nortje 16; Cummins 3/54, Lyon 2/58, Starc 2/63, Hazlewood 2/54, Webster 1/23) trail Australia’s 390 by 106. Australia 33/0 in their second innings (Maddinson 17*, Head 10*) lead by 139.
