Careless dismissals leave South Africa vulnerable in decisive Test

South Africa’s hopes of setting Australia a demanding fourth-innings target were damaged by a series of loose dismissals on day three of the decisive third Test in Cape Town. The Proteas closed on 140-4, only 40 runs ahead, leaving the series finely poised and the winner certain to finish top of the ICC Test rankings.

Australia had begun the day in control after South Africa’s first-innings 329, but their final six wickets fell for 99 runs. Josh Inglis completed his second Test century before Simon Harmer removed him and Alex Carey, who made 80, on the way to figures of 4-104.

That left South Africa facing a deficit of exactly 100, with their experienced top order needing to establish a strong platform. Instead, Aiden Markram fell for one after driving Mitchell Starc straight to Travis Head at mid-off. The delivery was the fullest of the six balls Markram faced, but it was still not at an ideal driving length.

David Bedingham then repeated a mistake that had already cost him in the first innings. After being struck in the chest by a Starc bouncer, he chased a short ball from Josh Hazlewood and top-edged a pull to the wicketkeeper. It was the second time in the match he had been dismissed by the same tactic.

Former South Africa bowler Vernon Philander described Bedingham’s dismissal as soft, while former captain Graeme Smith said the batter never appeared balanced when attempting the pull or hook. Bedingham has now been dismissed playing the pull five times in 18 Tests, on average once every 13 deliveries.

The 11 he made followed scores of 49, 46 and 50 in his other four innings of the series. Although he has repeatedly reached the middle, the first-drop batter has yet to produce the major contribution South Africa require from his position. Smith suggested that, like Hashim Amla earlier in his career, Bedingham may need to temporarily put the shot aside.

Marques Ackerman had earlier provided a brisk start before Starc removed him, and Temba Bavuma appeared ready to rebuild the innings. The captain battled for 115 balls, hitting only one boundary, and shared a partnership lasting 17.3 overs with Matthew Breetzke.

Bavuma had led South Africa to their second-Test victory in Gqeberha with an unbeaten 179, but he fell for 35 shortly before the close. After Australia captain Pat Cummins introduced a close-in fielder at silly point for Nathan Lyon, Bavuma tried to force the spinner through mid-wicket and dragged himself out of the crease.

Australia celebrated the wicket as a potentially decisive moment. Lyon’s sharp turn means a target above 200 could still prove difficult, but South Africa have Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton at the crease, with Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen and the tail still to come. Mitchell Starc finished the innings with 2-29, while Australia will look to exploit the uncertainty that has repeatedly undermined the hosts’ batting.