Late Bavuma wicket leaves Australia on top in Cape Town decider

Australia ended the third day of the deciding Test in Cape Town with South Africa 140-4 in their second innings, just 40 runs ahead. According to BBC Sport's match report, Nathan Lyon removed captain Temba Bavuma shortly before the close, interrupting the hosts' recovery and leaving the tourists well placed in a match that will settle the series.

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South Africa had started their second innings exactly 100 runs behind after bowling Australia out for 429 in reply to 329. Josh Inglis made 102, his second Test century, while Alex Carey contributed 80. The hosts took Australia's final six wickets for 99 runs during the morning, with spinner Simon Harmer dismissing both Inglis and Carey on his way to figures of 4-104. That limited the deficit but still left South Africa needing to rebuild.

Their reply suffered early setbacks through the dismissals of Aiden Markram and David Bedingham. Markram made one before driving Mitchell Starc to Travis Head at mid-off. Bedingham fell for 11 to Josh Hazlewood after attempting a pull, repeating the type of shot that had brought his dismissal in the first innings. On that occasion, Starc had been the bowler and Hazlewood had taken the catch.

Opener Marques Ackerman was also dismissed by Starc, who finished the day with 2-29. Bavuma then provided resistance alongside Matthew Breetzke, with their partnership lasting 17.3 overs. The South Africa captain faced 115 balls for his 35 and struck only one boundary. His innings followed the 179 he had made in South Africa's second-Test victory in Gqeberha, the result that set up the Cape Town decider.

The late breakthrough came after Australia captain Pat Cummins introduced a silly point for Lyon. Bavuma moved out of his crease and attempted to hit through mid-wicket, losing his wicket with only minutes remaining. Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton were left at the crease, with Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen still to bat as South Africa sought to build a defendable lead.

The match remained unfinished, and Australia still faced the prospect of batting last on a surface offering turn. BBC Sport reported sharp turn for Lyon, while Harmer's four wickets had already demonstrated his threat. Beyond deciding the series, victory in the third Test would also leave the winning side at the top of the International Cricket Council's Test rankings.