Sports · Cricket · 12 hrs ago
Cummins and Smith lead Australia’s strong day in Durban
Australia’s Test team had a strong day three against South Africa at Kingsmead in Durban.
Captain Pat Cummins bowled some of his quickest spells in years, while Steve Smith took three catches.
Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon also helped Australia take wickets.
The Durban pitch offered some help to the bowlers, but they still had to work hard for their chances.
South Africa’s batters also made risky choices, which added to their problems.
At stumps, Australia led by 139 runs, and Nic Maddinson had avoided being out for a duck in both innings.
Fading light was becoming a major challenge as the match continued.
Australia built a 139-run lead by stumps on day three at Kingsmead in Durban.
Pat Cummins bowled fast and took key wickets as Australia’s quicks and Nathan Lyon put South Africa under pressure.
Steve Smith took three catches for Australia.
South Africa’s shot choices contributed to wickets, while Australia’s bowling and fielding helped force errors.
The four-man Australian bowling group of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Lyon passed 600 Test wickets together.
- Who
- Australia and South Africa, in a Test match. Pat Cummins and Steve Smith were prominent for Australia.
- What
- Australia had a 139-run lead at stumps on day three.
- When
- Day three; the article is dated October 12, 2026.
- Where
- Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- Australia’s bowling and fielding put South Africa under pressure and helped take wickets.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We hold ourselves to a higher standard.
That is an extremely proud moment for the four of us to tick over 600 Test match wickets as a quartet.
Physically I feel really fresh, I feel great.
Australia’s quick bowlers attacked South Africa with probing lines.
Cummins bowled fast spells and dismissed South African batters.
Australia’s lead stood at 139, and Nic Maddinson had avoided a pair.
- Australia’s lead at stumps
- 139 runs
- Smith’s catches
- Three
- Cummins’s bowling speed
- Around 146kph at times
- Australian bowling quartet
- Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon
- Quartet’s combined Test wickets
- More than 600
Sources
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