SA vs AUS, 1st Test: Cummins helps Australia take control as visiting side leads by 139 runs on Day 1

Australia's captain Pat Cummins celebrates taking the wicket of David Bedingham, the top scorer for South Africa in the first Test. | Photo Credit: AP

Pat Cummins claimed three for 54 as Australia took a 139-run lead against South Africa at Stumps on day three of the first Test.

A collective bowling effort from Australia saw South Africa bowled out for 284 on Sunday in its first innings – Mitchell Starc (two for 63), Josh Hazlewood (two for 54) and Nathan Lyon (two for 58) took a brace each.

Australia had scored 390 runs in its first innings with Matt Renshaw hitting a career-best 190 to help the visiting side recover from a precarious 124 for six.

In its second innings, Australia was 33-0 at stumps in 5.4 overs when play was called off early again due to bad light, with nearly 13 overs lost in the day. Nic Maddinson (17 not out) and Travis Head (10 not out) are at the crease.

David Bedingham top-scored for South Africa with 49 off 73 balls. The hosts were 197 for eight at one stage before a 52-run ninth-wicket partnership between Keshav Maharaj (34) and Simon Harmer (35 not out) reduced some of the damage.

South Africa is the reigning world Test champion and beat Australia in the 2025 final. It is Australia’s first trip to the country since the 2018 ball tampering scandal when they last toured here.

South Africa was down to 115 for four at lunch. Starting from 27 for one on day two, Aiden Markram (37) and Bedingham added 57 runs to their overnight partnership.

The breakthrough for Australia came just before drinks – Markram edged Starc to slip in the 21st over.

South Africa scored 59 for one in the first hour. In the second hour, Temba Bavuma (3) was out caught off Lyon – Steve Smith took a well-judged catch as Bavuma went for a reverse sweep.

Cummins then had Bedingham caught in the slips, with Smith taking another great catch to his left.

After lunch, Cummins struck again. Wiaan Mulder was the first to go – he scored 30 off 50 balls with three fours and a six, adding 56 with Tristan Stubbs.

Stubbs fell soon after for 32 – caught at square leg, again off Cummins.

Lyon had Kyle Verreynne caught at slip for 13 as South Africa stumbled to 197 for seven. Marco Jansen hit six fours for a 20-ball 26, before holing out off Hazlewood.

South Africa was 238 for eight at tea, with Harmer and Maharaj able to go past the follow-on mark. Their 50-partnership ended when Starc dismissed Maharaj.