Sports · Cricket · 6 hrs ago
Australia lead South Africa by 139 after Smith sets catching record
Australia lead South Africa by 139 runs after three days of the first cricket test at Kingsmead in Durban.
Australia scored 390 in their first innings, and South Africa replied with 284.
Steve Smith took four catches in South Africa’s innings, bringing his test total to 223 and breaking the record of 220 held by England’s Joe Root.
South Africa’s batters lost wickets through loose shots, although Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj helped add 87 runs near the end.
Australia began their second innings and reached 33 without losing a wicket before bad light stopped play early.
South Africa have two days left to try to recover, while Australia will aim to extend their lead.
Play has ended early on all three days because of bad light, and extra time is planned for each session on Monday.
Australia led South Africa by 139 runs at the end of day three of the first test at Kingsmead.
Steve Smith set a record for most catches in test cricket, taking his tally to 223.
South Africa were dismissed for 284 in reply to Australia’s first-innings total of 390.
Australia were 33 without loss in their second innings when bad light ended play early.
Two days of the test remained.
- Who
- Australia and South Africa are playing in the first test.
- What
- Australia led by 139 runs at the end of day three. Steve Smith set a test record with 223 catches.
- When
- Sunday, the third day of the test. The article was published on 11 October 2026.
- Where
- Kingsmead, South Africa.
- Why
- Smith took four catches during South Africa’s innings, passing Joe Root’s previous record of 220.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Australia scored 390.
South Africa resumed at 27-1.
South Africa were dismissed for 284, with Smith's fourth catch taking his test tally to 223.
Australia were 33 without loss in their second innings, leading by 139 runs.
- Australia first innings
- 390
- South Africa innings
- 284
- Australia lead
- 139 runs
- Smith's test catches
- 223
- Previous catches record
- 220, held by Joe Root
- Remaining play
- Two days of the test remained
Sources
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