Summary

  • Third Test, day three, Cape Town

  • South Africa close on 140-4 - 40 runs ahead

  • Bavuma falls just before stumps - bowled by Lyon for a 115-ball 35

  • Markram (1) and Bedingham (11) both out to poor shots

  • Australia bowled out for 429 after lunch with lead of 100 runs

  • Harmer 4-104 & Jansen 3-60 finish pick of SA bowlers

  • Inglis (102) & Carey (80) top score for Australia before falling to Harmer

  • Series level at 1-1

Have your say on South Africa v Australia

Live Reporting

by Timothy Abraham & Matthew Henry

  1. Join us for day four...

    An enthralling Test match, in a gripping series, rolls into day four with plenty still to play for...although Australia will be the happier of the two sides.

    The dismissal of South Africa captain Temba Bavuma - bowled by Nathan Lyon after 35 from 115 balls - shortly before the close appears to have swung the momentum the way of the tourists.

    South Africa will resume their second innings on 140-4 on day four - a lead of 40 runs - with Matthew Breetzke and Ryan Rickleton unbeaten on 19 and eight respectively.

    Earlier, Josh Inglis' second Test century had helped Australia post 429 in their first innings while Alex Carey chipped in with 80.

    Simon Harmer finished the pick of the Proteas attack with 4-104 supported by Marco Jansen's 3-60.

    We will be back with live-text commentary of day four from Newlands at 08:25 GMT on Friday. Do join us.

    There's plenty of cricket stories to keep you occupied between now and then. Here's a selection of them:

  2. Shaun Pollock
    Ex-South Africa captain on Sky Sports

    Australia are in the pound seats - they will be looking to capitalise tomorrow with one or two early wickets. You would think with a clinical display they will be able to dictate terms.

    For South Africa they are searching for a hero.

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    Temba Bavuma will be kicking himself!

    Kevin, Brighton

  4. South Africa 140-4 at stumps

    Ryan Rickelton defends the final ball of the day from Mitchell Starc to ensure South Africa reach the close without any further loss.

    He will resume tomorrow with Matthew Breetzke.

    But how big will the dismissal of Temba Bavuma prove to be?

  5. SA 140-4

    Mitchell Starc with what could well be the final over of the day, and Ryan Rickelton clips the third ball of it off his hip for four.

  6. SA 135-4

    Close again!

    Ryan Rickelton edges his first ball from Nathan Lyon between two fielders stood in the slips.

    The ball races away for the streakiest of streaky fours.

  7. Shaun Pollock
    Ex-South Africa captain on Sky Sports

    That almost missed the leg stump, that's how much it turned. Into the footholes and the shadows on the length of the pitch from Travis Head at silly point. A vital wicket just before the close.

  8. wicket

    WICKET

    Bavuma b Lyon 35 (SA 131-4)

    A dagger through the heart of South Africa's hopes.

    Just a single off a Mitchell Starc over before Nathan Lyon attempts to exert some pressure with men round the bat.

    Temba Bavuma is perhaps distracted by the presence of Travis Head at silly point and attempts whip it into the leg side, but a delivery from Lyon grips and turns to bowl him through the gate.

    Just five minutes before stumps and Bavuma trudges back to the pavilion.

    Lyon bellows in celebration before he is mobbed by his team-mates.

    They know how big that wicket is.

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    First hour is going to be massive tomorrow. If South Africa make it through unscathed definitely game on. If they lose two or three wickets then it's Australia's to lose. I reckon SA need minimum 200 lead.

    Mathew, Cornwall

  10. Bottle from Bavuma

    Temba Bavuma ducks out the way of a bouncerGetty Images
    Temba Bavuma leaves a delivery from Nathan LyonGetty Images
    Team Bavuma defends stoutlyGetty Images

    Guts, grit and an ability to grind it out.

    A real captain's knock from Temba Bavuma today against whatever Australia's attack has thrown at him.

    There's just over 10 minutes left after he sees off a maiden from Nathan Lyon.

    Bavuma will be desperate to get through to the stumps.

  11. SA 127-3

    Matthew Breetzke breaks the shackles of defence, cashing in on a floaty wide one from Josh Hazlewood which he square drives with purpose all along the carpet to the fence.

  12. SA 123-3

    Inevitably, thoughts have drifted towards day four as we tick closer to stumps and shadows lengthen at Newlands.

    Matthew Breetzke and Temba Bavuma are both circumspect for a couple of overs from Josh Hazlewood and Matt Renshaw.

    That perennial pest Marnus Labuschagne is attempting to irritate a wicket from slip with the verbals.

  13. WinViz is not quite as far in Australia's favour as it was earlier in the day...

    WinVizL South Africa 35. Australia 59%CricViz

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    Classic Test match in the offing.

    Greg, Hants

  15. SA 119-3

    Lead by 19 runs

    Nathan Lyon as tight as a rusted bolt before going a little too full and straight to Matthew Breetzke allowing him to drive into the covers for a single.

    There's about a half hour of play left in the day. A fascinating little period.

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    This is what Test cricket is all about, late in the day. South Africa digging in deep whilst Australia are keeping tight from either end. One wicket here could turn it in Aussies' favour!

    Kevin, Brighton

  17. SA 118-3

    A couple of tight overw from Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood successfully navigated by South Africa.

    It's been 27 balls since either Matthew Breetzke and Temba Bavuma hit a boundary as the tourists attempt to build some pressure towards the close.

  18. Graeme Smith
    Former South Africa captain on Sky Sports

    A beautiful bouncer from Pat Cummins - he definitely has a bit more in the tank to send down one like that.

  19. SA 113-3

    Temba Bavuma fends off a bouncer from Pat CumminsGetty Images

    A rasping short ball from Pat Cummins to Temba Bavuma with his fourth delivery of the over.

    The Proteas skipper fends it from high on the bat to the leg side but sees it loop up. However, the field on the leg side is back so it thuds into the turf.

    South Africans everywhere breathe a sigh of relief.

  20. SA 112-3

    Temba Bavuma shoulders arms and pads down a delivery outside of off stump to a big turner from Nathan Lyon first up, who appeals with some passion but not with any real intention of taking it further.

    Bavuma works it through point later in the over to keep the strike.