Smith sets Test catching record; bad light halts play with visitors 139 ahead
Durban, Oct 11: Australia strengthened their hold on the first Test against South Africa as the hosts were bowled out for 284 on Day 3 at Kingsmead on Sunday, before the visitors extended their overall lead to 139 runs when bad light forced an early close.
Australia, who had posted 390 in their first innings on the back of Matt Renshaw’s superb 190, dismissed South Africa for 284 to secure a first-innings lead of 106. The visitors reached 33 without loss in their second innings, with Nic Maddinson unbeaten on 17 and Travis Head on 10 when stumps were called.
The day also belonged to Steve Smith, who set a new record for the most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket. The Australian batter took his tally to 223, surpassing England’s Joe Root, who held the previous record with 220.
Smith held four catches during South Africa’s innings, including a spectacular diving effort to dismiss David Bedingham, who top-scored for the hosts with 49. His final catch, off Beau Webster, accounted for Anrich Nortje and ended the South African innings.
Resuming at 27/1, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals as Australia’s experienced bowling attack kept the pressure on. Aiden Markram made 37 before falling, while Bedingham’s dismissal further dented the hosts’ hopes of building a substantial partnership.
Captain Pat Cummins led the attack with three wickets for 54 runs, while Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets each. The quartet’s combined effort continued their remarkable record as a unit, having crossed the 600-wicket milestone in Tests played together during the match.
South Africa were in deep trouble at 197/8, but the lower order offered some resistance. Keshav Maharaj scored 34, while Simon Harmer remained unbeaten on 35 as the pair added valuable runs to reduce the first-innings deficit. Their efforts helped the hosts reach 284, although Australia retained a commanding advantage.
Australia’s reply was positive, with Maddinson and Head scoring briskly in the brief second-innings session. The opening pair added 33 runs in just 5.4 overs without losing a wicket, taking the visitors’ overall lead to 139.
Bad light interrupted play for the third consecutive day, bringing the action to an early end. With two days remaining, Australia will look to build a substantial second-innings total and put South Africa under further pressure, while the hosts need early wickets on Monday to keep their hopes alive. (Agencies)