[cricknation_live_score match=”‘Really important that we get the lead’ – Josh Inglis after century puts AUS in command during third Test vs SA”]
- “Really important that we take the lead” – Post-century Josh Inglis AUS takes charge in third Test against South Africa. Josh Inglis, as a late replacement for Steven Smith at Newlands, scored 102 from 135 balls to give Australia a 100-run lead in the third Test against South Africa.
- (Photo Source: Fancode) Josh Inglis came to bat as a late replacement for Steve Smith and scored 102 off 135 balls, giving Australia a 100-run first innings lead over South Africa in the third Test of the 2026-27 series.
- South Africa had scored 329 in their first innings and Australia responded with 429 out, with Inglis’s strike at the heart of that recovery.
“Really important that we take the lead” – Post-century Josh Inglis AUS takes charge in third Test against South Africa. Josh Inglis, as a late replacement for Steven Smith at Newlands, scored 102 from 135 balls to give Australia a 100-run lead in the third Test against South Africa.
(Photo Source: Fancode) Josh Inglis came to bat as a late replacement for Steve Smith and scored 102 off 135 balls, giving Australia a 100-run first innings lead over South Africa in the third Test of the 2026-27 series. South Africa had scored 329 in their first innings and Australia responded with 429 out, with Inglis’s strike at the heart of that recovery. He reached his century in 132 balls with a reverse sweep for four against off-spinner Simon Harmer, only to be caught behind Harmer for 102 three balls later.
Inglis described the conditions and his mindset in terms of “old Test match cricket”, adding that at certain stages of his innings he “couldn’t score a point”. He explained his proach to the reverse gear that brought about the milestone. “I saw the point was over and told myself I had to take advantage of this opportunity.
“I obviously played there a lot the day before, so I just had to get my system out and get to three figures as quickly as possible,” Inglis said after the day’s game, as quoted by . The most significant run of the Australian innings was a 185-run fifth-wicket partnership between Inglis and Alex Carey, who contributed 80 of those runs. Inglis reflected on the importance of the position and, despite the size of the partnership, openly expressed his desire for more.
“I realized it was a bloody good wicket so I thought it was really important that we got a lead here. Still a little dispointed that I didn’t eat more this morning. It was probably me and Kez [Carey] in that partnership, if we could have had 50 more it would have been really good,” Inglis said.
By the end of the third day, South Africa had reached 140 for 4 in their second innings, 40 runs ahead of Australia. The third Test at Newlands is effectively a series decider with the winner taking home the trophy. What does Inglis’ innings mean for his position in Australian cricket?
It was Inglis’ second Test century, his first on debut against Sri Lanka in early 2025. Newlands’ century began in the most difficult of circumstances: a late call-up as a replacement for the Australians’ most reliable batsman and a pre-existing finger injury that required protective gear. Inglis is now the only Australian batsman to have scored multiple centuries in all three formats of international cricket, namely two Test hundreds, two ODI centuries and one T20I century.
Inglis also spoke about how the partnership developed and how he dealt with the changes in bowling. “The partnership was developing really well and then before that second new ball where the spin was active I saw an opportunity to play some shots and hit some boundaries. And then the new ball last night was really nice.
It was a bit hard, but it was obviously harder and the peloton was at the front and it was pretty good. There was no reason to continue or insist,” he said. What is the game situation and what hpens next?
South Africa ended the third day of the third Test at Newlands in a precarious position after losing four wickets in the second innings despite taking the lead. Australia’s first innings lead of 100 means South Africa face a significant deficit with just six wickets remaining. The series is level heading into this final Test, making the Newlands match virtually a decider.
Gerald Coetzee and Wiaan Mulder were among the South African bowlers who peared in Australia’s first innings. The result of the remaining days will decide which team will take home the series trophy.
