Lyon removes Bavuma late as Australia tighten grip on Cape Town decider

Australia strengthened their position in the deciding third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, leaving the hosts 140-4 in their second innings at the end of day three. South Africa were only 40 runs ahead after Nathan Lyon removed captain Temba Bavuma shortly before the close, according to BBC Sport's match report.

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Josh Inglis had earlier made 102, his second Test century, as Australia reached 429 in reply to South Africa's first-innings 329. Alex Carey contributed 80. Simon Harmer dismissed both batters and finished with figures of 4-104, helping South Africa limit the tourists' advantage to exactly 100 runs. The hosts took Australia's final six wickets for 99, but still began their second innings with a substantial deficit to erase.

Mitchell Starc then removed Aiden Markram for one, with Travis Head taking the catch at mid-off after the opener drove at a delivery outside off stump. David Bedingham followed for 11 when he attempted a pull against Josh Hazlewood. It was a repeat of the type of dismissal Bedingham had suffered in the first innings, when he fell to Starc while playing the same stroke.

Marques Ackerman also fell to Starc, who ended the day with 2-29. Bavuma offered more prolonged resistance, facing 115 balls and striking only one boundary in his innings of 35. His partnership with Matthew Breetzke lasted 17.3 overs, giving South Africa a period of stability after the loss of their top three and helping them move beyond Australia's first-innings total.

That resistance ended after Australia captain Pat Cummins added a silly point for Lyon. BBC Sport reported that Bavuma came out of his crease and attempted to force the ball through mid-wicket, losing his wicket with four minutes remaining in the day. His departure left South Africa with four batters dismissed and a narrow lead, rather than the stronger position his extended stay had offered.

Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton remained at the crease at stumps, with Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen still to bat. The match remained unresolved with two scheduled days left. Harmer's four wickets and the turn Lyon found provided evidence of assistance for spin, but South Africa still needed to build their lead before Australia would face a fourth-innings target.