Sports · Cricket · 11 hrs ago
Australia lead South Africa by 139 runs as Smith sets Test catch record
Australia lead South Africa by 139 runs after three days of the first Test at Kingsmead.
South Africa made 284 in reply to Australia’s first-innings total of 390.
Steve Smith took four catches in South Africa’s innings, bringing his career total to 223 and passing Joe Root’s previous record of 220.
Pat Cummins took three wickets, while Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon took two each.
South Africa’s batters made several promising starts but did not build a larger total.
Australia were 33 without loss in their second innings when bad light ended play early.
Two days remain, and extra time is scheduled for each of Monday’s sessions.
Australia led South Africa by 139 runs after day three of the first Test at Kingsmead.
Steve Smith took four catches to reach 223 in his Test career, surpassing Joe Root’s record of 220.
South Africa were bowled out for 284 in reply to Australia’s first-innings 390, according to News18 and the Independent.
Australia finished the day 33 without loss in their second innings, with Nic Maddinson on 17 and Travis Head on 10 not out.
India Today reported different innings and second-innings scores, saying South Africa made 251 and Australia were 17 without loss.
- Who
- Australia and South Africa, in the first Test; Steve Smith set the catching record.
- What
- Australia led by 139 runs after day three. Smith took his 223rd Test catch.
- When
- October 11, 2026, on day three of the Test.
- Where
- Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- Australia built their lead by bowling South Africa out and beginning their second innings before play ended early in bad light.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
Smith began the day on 219 Test catches, one short of Joe Root’s record, according to News18.
Smith took catches against Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham to pass Root’s record of 220, News18 reported.
South Africa were bowled out; News18 and the Independent reported a total of 284, while India Today reported 251.
Australia began their second innings before bad light ended play early; reports differed on whether they were 33 or 17 without loss.
- Smith’s Test catches
- 223, according to News18 and the Independent
- Previous record
- 220 catches, held by England’s Joe Root
- Australia first innings
- 390
- South Africa innings
- 284 in News18 and the Independent; 251 in India Today
- Australia’s lead
- 139 runs at the end of day three
Sources
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