Josh Inglis struck his second Test hundred as Australia took control on day three of the third Test, with South Africa holding a 40-run lead for the loss of four wickets in their second innings at Newlands.
South Africa were bowled out for 329 on day one. Pat Cummins‘ side then took a 100-run lead before being dismissed for 429 after lunch.
Alex Carey and Inglis pushed the visitors in front with a fifth-wicket stand of 185. Inglis reached his century off 132 deliveries.
South Africa fight back
South Africa responded to match Australia’s lead, but they were on the back foot later in the afternoon. Aiden Markram (1), Marques Ackerman (62) and David Bedingham (11) all departed, and the hosts lost 132 runs for those three wickets inside 28.2 overs.
Skipper Temba Bavuma arrived at the crease and ground down the Australian pace attack. He made 35 runs off 115 deliveries, a strike rate of 30.43. Then Nathan Lyon struck a major blow. He spun a beautiful off-spinner around Bavuma’s bat and into his middle stump, removing the South African captain just five minutes before the close.
South Africa finished day three on 140 for 4 and need a strong morning on Friday to extend their lead on day four.
Starc sparks the collapse
Mitchell Starc came out firing in South Africa’s second innings and lifted his match haul to eight wickets. Markram chopped a delivery from Starc to Travis Head at mid-off in the third over. Bedingham pulled a short ball from Josh Hazlewood straight to Lyon at deep square leg.
Ackerman and Bavuma put together a fine partnership, with Ackerman advancing to 62 off 80 deliveries. Just as he built momentum, a Starc bouncer struck his gloves and carried to Cameron Green in the slips.
Inglis and the Australian innings
Inglis, who hit 11 fours and two sixes, began the day needing 10 runs to reach his milestone. His time at the crease on Thursday was short-lived, however. Simon Harmer forced him to edge behind to Ryan Rickelton, and he was out for 102 off 135 balls.
Harmer was South Africa’s best bowler, also dismissing Carey for 80. He finished with four for 104 after taking two wickets on day two. Kagiso Rabada trapped Cummins for no runs, and Starc was caught behind by Rickelton off a Gerald Coetzee delivery for 11.
Harmer was involved again after lunch, taking a brilliant catch in the slips to remove Lyon for one off a Wiaan Mulder delivery.
Matthew Breetzke (19) and Ryan Rickelton (8) will resume South Africa’s innings on Friday.