- Harmer, Rabada and Coetzee hit back after Inglis 102 gave Australia an 82-run lead despite losing four wickets in the session. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India v Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Australia reached lunch in a strong position and are still hoping to add to their total on a favorable Newlands surface, with all-rounder Cooper Connolly not out on 20.
- 5 Inglis hit 102 off 135 balls and shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 185 with Alex Carey, who made 80.
- Both batters were dismissed by Harmer, who continued to be South Africa’s strongest bowler, taking figures of 4 for 104 in 37 overs.
Harmer, Rabada and Coetzee hit back after Inglis 102 gave Australia an 82-run lead despite losing four wickets in the session. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiling after dismissing Pat Cummins. The three that matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India v Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 Australia reached lunch in a strong position and are still hoping to add to their total on a favorable Newlands surface, with all-rounder Cooper Connolly not out on 20.
5 Inglis hit 102 off 135 balls and shared a fifth-wicket partnership of 185 with Alex Carey, who made 80. Both batters were dismissed by Harmer, who continued to be South Africa’s strongest bowler, taking figures of 4 for 104 in 37 overs. Inglis took his chance after replacing the injured Steven Smith, who missed the second Test with a neck injury.
After a long spell on the sidelines, Inglis had not played Test cricket since December and was not considered for selection in the first two matches due to a finger injury. Inglis played his first red-ball match since March in the Sheffield Shield. He started slowly but then transitioned brilliantly as his innate aggressiveness finally came to the fore. His knock added to the tone he set on his Test debut against Sri Lanka in early 2025.
Australia began the day at 330 for 4 with a one-run lead as they sought a big lead in the first innings. South Africa desperately needed early wickets with the second new ball, but Inglis and Carey didn’t mind. Kagiso Rabada was forced to wait with stomach cramps after missing the pitch on matchday two.
The responsibility fell on Marco Jansen, who was by far South Africa’s best seamer on the second day. But he couldn’t get his tail up, as he memorably did when he knocked out Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw in quick succession early in the round. Jansen’s problems became clear when he threw a projector at Carey, who ducked safely.
The bowlers were not helped by a sloppy pitch as Inglis went into the 90s after Gerald Coetzee made an error in the middle to continue his difficult return to Test cricket. Rabada came into the attack 30 minutes into the day, hoping that better health could lead to a better performance after going wicketless on the second day. He was frustrated after gaining an advantage over Carey, but Harmer was able to unleash a low left grab.
Harmer’s woes were compounded by the fact that his finger was open, although thankfully not on his bowling hand. After tending to the wound, Harmer was brought in to attack but was brushed aside brilliantly by Inglis, who reached his century in style. But Harmer eventually ended the partnership by catching Inglis’ outside edge, which hpened to score exactly the same as his only previous Test century.
Harmer did his best to get South Africa back on track, trping Carey with a pitch delivery that was well caught by Aiden Markram at slip. As usual in this series, the wickets fell in clusters. Australia’s 10-for-3 score was complete when Rabada had Pat Cummins lbw for a duck, a decision upheld by DRS, and the throw of the ball answered the umpire’s call.
South Africa hoped to overcome the lower order quickly, but Mitchell Starc showed resilience and supported Connolly as Australia passed the 400 mark. Coetzee, playing his first Test since November 2024, received some late plause as he caught Starc for 11 after an erratic bowling attempt. Josh Inglis reflected on his second Test century, South Africa v Australia, 3rd Test, Ce Town, Day 3, October 29, 2026
