Australia tightened their grip on the opening Test against South Africa in Durban, taking a 139-run lead by stumps on day three after bowling the hosts out for 284 and reaching 33 without loss in their second innings.
Pat Cummins claimed three wickets and Steve Smith produced a record-breaking performance in the field as South Africa’s batting repeatedly faltered at Kingsmead. Nic Maddinson then made a welcome recovery from his first-innings duck, helping Australia finish the day in a commanding position.
South Africa had resumed on 27 for one and initially looked settled, with David Bedingham and Aiden Markram adding 84 for the second wicket. But Mitchell Starc removed Markram for 37, and Nathan Lyon helped Australia seize control as the hosts lost wickets in clusters.
Cummins led the attack with 3-54 from 15 overs, using pace and extra bounce to unsettle the batters. Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs added 56 for the fifth wicket, but Cummins broke the partnership by forcing Mulder into a pull shot that went straight to midwicket. He later dismissed Stubbs through another short-ball plan.
Smith provided the outstanding support in the field. He took four catches, including a diving effort to remove Bedingham for 49 and a remarkable one-handed grab to dismiss Kyle Verreynne. The performance took him past Joe Root for the most Test catches by a non-wicketkeeper.
South Africa’s lower order delayed Australia’s progress. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer shared 52 runs before Maharaj fell to Mitchell Starc, while Harmer and Anrich Nortje added another 35 for the final wicket. The innings ended at 284, leaving South Africa 106 runs behind.
Maddinson then eased some of the pressure created by his 33-ball duck in the first innings. He struck Marco Jansen for four from his first ball and later flicked Wiaan Mulder for six, finishing unbeaten on 17 alongside Travis Head on 10.
Australia’s lead had reached 139 when bad light stopped play after just 5.4 overs in the second innings. It was the third consecutive day affected by poor light, leaving the visitors firmly in control but wary of losing more time over the final two days.
