Proteas face uphill battle on day four as Australia hold the upper hand

South Africa resume day four of the series-deciding third Test against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town with a lead of only 40 runs and six wickets in hand.

The hosts were 140 for four at stumps on day three in reply to Australia’s 429, which gave the visitors a first-innings lead of 100.

Josh Inglis made 102 off 135 balls, his second Test century, after an eleventh-hour call-up when Steve Smith was injured, and Alex Carey added 80 off 168. Marco Jansen took three for 60.

South Africa’s second innings showed the same promise and fragility it has throughout the Unbreakable series.

Marques Ackerman hit a quick 62 to help erase the deficit, but Mitchell Starc, who took two for 29, and Josh Hazlewood, one for 37, made early inroads into the top order.

Nathan Lyon then removed captain Temba Bavuma five minutes from stumps, the fourth time spin has dismissed him in the series. Ryan Rickelton, on 8, and Matthew Breetzke, on 19, resume.

Newlands is also becoming harder to bat on. Lyon is already extracting turn from the rough, ESPN and local reports said, a warning for the remaining batters and a potential weapon for Simon Harmer if the Proteas can build a meaningful lead. The series is level at 1-1.

Sources: cricket.com.au, 29 October; ABC News; Fullview.