Australia Push for Victory in Cape Town Test
Australia push for victory in the deciding third Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town, after fast bowler Mitchell Starc took two wickets on day three on Thursday, 29 October 2026. South Africa closed on 140 for four in their second innings, just 40 runs ahead with six wickets remaining.
Starc, who took six for 72 in the first innings, again struck crucial blows. He dismissed Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman before South Africa had erased their first innings deficit. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon then bowled South African captain Temba Bavuma for 35 in the penultimate over of the day, leaving the world Test champions in deep trouble.
Australia push for victory: Inglis century sets up the lead
Josh Inglis earlier completed his second Test century before Australia were bowled out for 429, after starting the day on 330 for four. Australia lost their remaining six first innings wickets for 99 runs, but the damage was already done. Inglis made 102, the same score he had made on debut against Sri Lanka two seasons ago, and shared a partnership of 185 for the fifth wicket with Alex Carey, who made 80. The pair added 40 runs to the overnight total.
Inglis reached his century off 132 balls when he reverse-swept off-spinner Simon Harmer for four, but he was caught behind off the same bowler three balls later. Carey was caught at slip off Harmer four overs later. Australia’s first innings total of 429 gave them a lead of 100 runs over South Africa’s first innings score of 329, and that cushion shaped the rest of the day.
South Africa stumble in the second innings
Starting the second innings 100 runs behind, South Africa made a poor start. Markram was out for one, driving Starc to mid-off. David Bedingham fell for 11, caught at deep backward square leg off Josh Hazlewood after a hook shot, for the second time in the match.
Ackerman, who had made 95 in the first innings, went for his shots again. He and Bavuma shared a stand of 64 for the third wicket, but South Africa still trailed by five runs when Starc produced a vicious bouncer to dismiss Ackerman for 62, caught at gully off bat and helmet. Bavuma’s late dismissal to Lyon then turned a difficult position into a dangerous one, with two new batters to face the fourth morning.
The day followed Australia’s fightback on day two, when Inglis and Carey had already put the visitors in control at Newlands. The series is level at 1-1. Australia won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs, while South Africa bounced back with an innings and 31-run victory in the second Test, a result covered in South Africa’s innings win over Australia. The Cape Town decider will settle the series, and the fourth day now hinges on whether South Africa’s remaining batters can build a lead worth defending, or whether Starc and Lyon finish the job early.
Cricket fans in Pakistan can also catch up on England’s 55-run win over Sri Lanka in Lahore and Mike Hesson’s hopes for the tri-series final from the same day’s action.
Frequently asked questions
What is the state of play after day three in Cape Town?
South Africa are 140 for four in their second innings, 40 runs ahead of Australia, with six wickets remaining in the deciding third Test.
Who scored Australia’s century?
Josh Inglis made 102 off 132 balls, his second Test century, in a 185-run fifth wicket partnership with Alex Carey, who made 80. Australia were bowled out for 429.
Which bowlers struck for Australia on day three?
Mitchell Starc took two wickets, dismissing Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman, while Nathan Lyon bowled captain Temba Bavuma for 35 in the penultimate over.
What is the series score?
The three-match series is level at 1-1. Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs and South Africa won the second Test by an innings and 31 runs.
