South Africa vs Australia Highlights, 1st Test: Bad light forces stumps, Australia take 139-run lead to Day 4

October 11, 2026

Australia extended their commanding lead in the opening Test against South Africa, wrapping up Day 3 with a 139-run advantage after posting 33/0 in their second innings. The Proteas were bowled out for 284 in their reply, following on after Australia’s first-innings total of 390.

David Bedingham’s 49 and Aiden Markram’s 37 were key contributions for South Africa, while Pat Cummins led Australia’s bowling attack with three wickets, supported by Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, each taking two apiece. The match saw a dramatic late surge from Keshav Maharaj (34) and Simon Harmer (35*), who steadied the ship with a crucial lower-order partnership, cutting the deficit to 106 runs before stumps.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith etched his name in history by surpassing Joe Root’s record during Australia’s innings, underscoring their dominance on a pitch that shifted in color and behavior as the day progressed.