Inglis and Carey put Australia in control of third Test in Cape Town

Josh Inglis and Alex Carey put Australia in control of the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, stitching an unbeaten fifth-wicket partnership of 145 as the tourists reached 330/4 at stumps on Day 2. Inglis finished unbeaten on 85 with nine fours and two sixes while Carey was 51 not out, and the pair took Australia past South Africa’s first-innings total of 329 in the final over of the day.

Playing his first Test since December, Inglis led a dominant final session in which the visitors added 139 runs without losing a wicket. Carey registered his first half-century in 12 Test innings, and the stand was Australia’s first century-plus fifth-wicket partnership against South Africa since 2014.

Earlier in the innings Matt Renshaw scored 74 and Cameron Green contributed 65 to strengthen Australia’s reply after a promising opening stand between Renshaw and Travis Head. The pair had added runs before off-spinner Simon Harmer struck twice in the same over. Head was bowled for 41 after chopping the ball onto his stumps, and Marnus Labuschagne fell for a five-ball duck after edging to slip.

Renshaw and Green combined for a 126-run third-wicket partnership that took Australia to 148/2 before lunch and continued into the afternoon session. Both batters brought up half-centuries, with Green particularly aggressive against Kagiso Rabada. Their partnership set the stage for the middle-order recovery before South Africa’s quick response.

Marco Jansen then swung the momentum back South Africa’s way by dismissing both set batters within two overs. Renshaw was caught behind after attempting to attack a short delivery, with the decision confirmed by DRS, and that wicket was Jansen’s 100th in Test cricket. Green followed soon after, edging to slip.

South Africa appeared to have regained control heading into the final session, but Inglis and Carey ensured Australia finished the day firmly on top. The duo remained unbeaten to deny the hosts a late breakthrough and push the tourists ahead in the match.

The three-match series is level at 1-1 after Australia won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs and South Africa responded with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha; the third and final Test in Cape Town therefore remains finely poised, with Australia holding the advantage after a strong batting display.