Lyon's late Bavuma wicket leaves South Africa just 40 ahead in deciding Test

Australia ended the third day of the deciding Test in Cape Town with South Africa 140-4 in their second innings, a lead of only 40 runs. Nathan Lyon removed captain Temba Bavuma shortly before the close after Josh Inglis had helped Australia establish a first-innings advantage, according to BBC Sport's report from Newlands.

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Inglis scored 102, his second Test century, as Australia reached 429 in reply to South Africa's 329. Alex Carey contributed 80, but the hosts limited the damage by taking Australia's final six wickets for 99 runs during the morning. Spinner Simon Harmer dismissed both Inglis and Carey and finished with figures of 4-104, leaving South Africa exactly 100 behind before their second innings began.

The home side then lost two experienced top-order batters cheaply. Aiden Markram made one before driving Mitchell Starc to Travis Head at mid-off. David Bedingham fell for 11 when he attempted a pull against Josh Hazlewood, having also been dismissed playing that shot in the first innings. Those wickets denied South Africa the substantial contributions they needed from their opener and number three.

Marques Ackerman provided runs at a brisker pace before Starc dismissed him with a short ball. Bavuma took a more restrained approach, making 35 from 115 deliveries with just one boundary. He and Matthew Breetzke stayed together for 17.3 overs, giving South Africa a period of resistance after the early losses. Bavuma had made 179 in the second-Test victory in Gqeberha that set up the series decider.

That resistance ended with four minutes remaining in the day's play. BBC Sport reported that Australia captain Pat Cummins brought in a silly point for Lyon before Bavuma left his crease and tried to work the ball through mid-wicket. His dismissal left Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton at the crease, with Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen still to bat.

Australia therefore enter the fourth day with six more wickets to take before a target can be set. South Africa still have batting resources available, while Harmer's earlier wickets and the turn found by Lyon underline the role of spin in the match. The series remains undecided, and the winner of this final Test will also finish the contest on top of the International Cricket Council's Test rankings.