3rd Test: Inglis hundred, Starc brilliance puts Australia in control

Josh Inglis' second Test century and strikes from Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon put Australia in control of the third Test, leaving South Africa at 140 for four with a lead of just 40 runs at stumps on Day 3 in Cape Town.SA vs AUS, 3rd Test: Josh Inglis hundred gives Australia advantage on Day 3 (AP Photo)New Delhi,Oct 29, 2026 22:55 ISTBrief Scores: South Africa (329 and 140 for 4) lead Australia (429) by 40 runs at the close of play on Day 3 of the third Test.Josh Inglis scored a second Test century on his return to the side before Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon struck at regular intervals to leave South Africa under pressure on Day 3 of the series-deciding third Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Thursday.South Africa were 140 for four at stumps in their second innings, leading Australia by 40 runs with six wickets in hand. Temba Bavuma's dismissal in the penultimate over of the day gave Australia another reason to feel confident, with Lyon finding sharp turn from a surface that is beginning to offer more to the spinners.South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test: Day 3 Highlights | Scorecard Australia had started the day at 330 for four and went on to post 429, taking a first-innings lead of 100 runs. Inglis and Alex Carey extended their fifth-wicket partnership before Simon Harmer removed both in quick succession. South Africa then made early inroads into the lower order, but Australia's lead has left the hosts with plenty to do.The series is level at 1-1 after Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs and South Africa responded with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha. The result in Cape Town will decide the series, with the winners also set to claim the top spot in the Test world rankings.INGLIS LEADS AUSTRALIA TO 429 Inglis resumed on 101? No, he was closing in on his century when play began, having already built a strong partnership with Carey on Day 2. The pair continued where they had left off, taking their stand to 185 runs and putting Australia in a position to stretch their lead well beyond 100.Inglis reached his second Test hundred off 132 balls, making the most of his return to the side. Carey looked equally comfortable at the other end but fell for 80, missing out on a century of his own. Harmer accounted for both batters to give South Africa a way back into the innings.The hosts then worked through Australia's lower order. Rabada trapped Pat Cummins lbw for a duck, while Coetzee dismissed Starc. Connolly added 29 runs, with Lyon and Josh Hazlewood helping him push the total towards 430.Australia were eventually bowled out for 429, giving them a lead of exactly 100 runs. Harmer finished with four wickets for 104 runs, while Jansen claimed three for 60.STARC PUTS SOUTH AFRICA ON THE BACK FOOTSouth Africa needed a solid start to their second innings, but Starc had Markram caught by Travis Head at mid-off for one. The left-arm quick then watched Hazlewood remove Bedingham for 11, with Lyon taking the catch after the batter attempted another pull shot.Ackerman and Bavuma tried to steady the innings, adding 64 runs for the third wicket. Ackerman followed his first-innings 95 with another half-century, scoring 62 off 80 balls and looking capable of taking the game away from Australia if he stayed at the crease.Starc, however, found a way through. A short delivery cramped Ackerman for room, and the resulting top edge was caught by Cameron Green at slip. Ackerman was unhappy as he walked off, having wanted to review the decision, but the time to signal for a review had expired. Replays later confirmed that he was out.Starc's two wickets took his match tally to eight. His spell left South Africa struggling to build a substantial lead, despite Ackerman's second consecutive half-century.LYON DISMISSES BAVUMA LATE IN THE DAYBavuma had looked to guide South Africa through to stumps alongside Matthew Breetzke after Ackerman's departure. The captain had faced 115 balls and was trying to keep the innings together after the early losses.Lyon had other plans. In the penultimate over of the day, Bavuma attempted to work the ball towards the leg side but missed a delivery that turned sharply and hit the stumps. He was bowled for 35, leaving South Africa at 140 for four and Australia with the final breakthrough they wanted before the close.It was the second time Lyon had dismissed Bavuma in the match. With the pitch offering increasing turn, the off-spinner could have a significant say in how the contest unfolds on Day 4.Breetzke was unbeaten on 19, with Rickelton on eight at the other end. South Africa lead by just 40 runs, and their remaining six wickets will need to add considerably more if they are to make Australia work for the win.SOUTH AFRICA FACE A TEST OF PATIENCEThe pitch has begun to turn, and Australia will also have a new ball available after the first hour of the fourth day. Starc and Hazlewood will look to make the most of it, while Lyon will be a threat if the surface continues to grip.Inglis expects batting to become more difficult as the match progresses. He said Australia would ideally like to restrict South Africa's lead to around 200 runs, although the eventual target will depend on how much the hosts can add.South Africa have time to recover, but another early wicket could leave them facing a steep climb. Australia, meanwhile, will look to press home their advantage after a day in which Inglis' century gave them the lead and their bowlers made sure the hosts could not build one of their own.- Ends