Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
Lyon surprised by quiet crowd as Australia build lead in Durban Test
Australia and South Africa are playing the first Test of a series in Durban.
On day three, Australia had a 139-run lead at stumps, with all its wickets still in hand.
Matthew Renshaw’s century helped Australia take a first-innings lead of 106 runs.
Nathan Lyon said he had expected a larger crowd and more noise from South African fans.
The sparse attendance meant Australia faced less of the crowd hostility often associated with playing in South Africa.
Steve Smith took four catches and set a new record for Test catches by a fielder who is not the wicketkeeper.
Australia’s next Tests are in Gqeberha and Cape Town, where the crowd may be louder.
Australia held a 139-run lead at stumps on the third day of the first Test against South Africa in Durban.
Nathan Lyon said he had expected a larger crowd and found the spectators quiet.
Australia had taken a first-innings lead of 106 after Matthew Renshaw scored a century.
Steve Smith took four catches in the slips, moving to 223 Test catches by a non-wicketkeeper.
Australia’s four senior bowlers, Pat Cummins, Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, passed 600 Test wickets as a group.
- Who
- Australia and South Africa, in the first Test of their series.
- What
- Australia held a 139-run lead at stumps on the third day.
- When
- The third day of the Test; the article was published on 11 October 2026.
- Where
- Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- Australia built its lead after taking a first-innings advantage of 106; the sources do not state a specific reason for the sparse crowd.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I was expecting more of a crowd, if I’m being honest with you
Like when you got the Australian cricket team competing against South Africa in South Africa, the number one and number two teams going at it, I was expecting a bigger crowd.
But, no, they’ve been they’ve been pretty quiet, to be honest.
Steve Smith batted in his first Test in South Africa since the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal.
Matthew Renshaw’s century helped Australia take a first-innings lead of 106.
Australia held a lead of 139 with all its wickets in hand.
- Venue
- Durban, South Africa
- Match
- First Test of the series against the Proteas
- Australia’s first-innings lead
- 106 runs
- Australia’s lead at stumps on day three
- 139 runs
- Smith’s catches
- Four in the slips
- Combined Test wickets
- Cummins, Lyon, Starc and Hazlewood passed 600
Sources
Related news
Steve Smith sets Test record for most catches by a non-wicketkeeper
Australia take control as South Africa fall to 99 for 4 in Durban
West Indies level T20I series after chasing 250 against India
Matt Renshaw's 190 lifts Australia to 390 in Durban Test
New Zealand splits squad for five-match ODI series against India
South Africa reduce Australia to 187-6 on shortened first day in Durban
Australia reach 187-6 after top-order struggles against South Africa
Sehwag says Sooryavanshi’s attacking style reminds him of his own
Hasan Mahmud becomes Bangladesh’s first fast bowler to take a Test hat-trick
Eric Simons set to join England as Test bowling coach
Smith and Cummins put Australia in a strong position against South Africa
