DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — Australia took three wickets in the morning session on Sunday to reduce South Africa to 115-4 (38 overs) in its first innings at lunch on day three of the first cricket test.
Pat Cummins (1-24) and Nathan Lyon (1-22) were the pick of the bowlers as South Africa still trails by 275 runs.
Australia had scored 390 (137.2 overs) in its first innings, thanks to Matt Renshaw’s career-best 190 across the first two days.
South Africa are the reigning world test champions, and they beat Australia in the 2025 final. It is Australia’s first trip to the country since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal when they last toured South Africa.
The home side had finished day two on 27-1 when bad light halted play. Ryan Ricketon fell to Josh Hazlewood, out caught for a three-ball duck.
Aiden Markram (37) and David Bedingham (49) added 57 more runs to their overnight partnership. Australia found it tough going in the first hour as the duo looked to settle down.
The breakthrough came just before drinks when Markram edged Starc to slip in the 21st over. South Africa scored 59-1 in the first hour.
Australia then came charging back in the second hour of the morning session. Cummins and Lyon bowled in tandem, offering no loose deliveries to score from freely.
Temba Bavuma was out caught off Lyon for three runs when Steve Smith took a well-judged catch as Bavuma went for a reverse sweep against the off-spinner.
Cummins then got the settled batter as Bedingham was caught at second slip with Smith taking another great catch to his left. The batter fell just short of his half-century.
At the lunch break, Tristan Stubbs (14 not out) and Wiaan Mulder (7 not out) were the unbeaten batters, with a long road ahead for South Africa.
See AP’s full cricket coverage here
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