Third Test live updates: Aussies start hunt for wickets on crucial series-defining day

Australia had a big group huddled ahead of day four. It appeared like Andrew McDonald was delivering a speech for the ages.

On the ABC, Corbin Middlemas says he counted 34 people in there.

“34 seems like a lot,” Jason Gillespie said while conceding it’s better than the skeleton staff during his era.

We’re underway at Newlands too with Nathan Lyon starting.

We’re set to go in Cape Town.

The Proteas lead by 40 runs and the Aussies need six wickets.

Could they wrap up the series today? It’s a distinct possibility.

Proteas spinner Simon Harmer has fired up against criticism of how three of his teammates got out late on day three.

Aiden Markram, David Bedingham and Temba Bavuma were all guilty of throwing their wickets away. Coach Shukri Conrad said their dismissals had him "pulling the last strands of his hair out".

But speaking to media after play, Harmer said it was easy for pundits to criticise from the stands.

"Pressure is a funny thing and I think sometimes it is easy to sit on the balcony or in the stands and pass judgement on somebody's innings or how they get out," Harmer said.

"But there's a lot going through your head when you're waiting to face a bowler and sometimes you make the incorrect decision at the wrong moment.

"I'm pretty sure the players that feel those shots weren't good enough will be the first people to put their hands up."

Bavuma in particular looked particularly upset when he got out in the second last over.

"Look, everybody wanted us to get to the end of play three wickets down," Harmer continued.

"And I don't think anybody is going to be as shattered as Temba for getting out.

"But again, it's the situation. You don't want to go back into your shell right at the end of the day. You've played a certain way. And that's cricket. It happens.

"We've got two very capable batters at the crease and still a lot of batting to come. So there are going to be casualties along the way."

The emergence of Josh Inglis as a long-term candidate in Australia’s middle order can be partly attributed to a bold call from selectors at the start of last year.

Aussie fan favourite Glenn Maxwell was making plenty of noise towards the end of the 2024-25 summer, making no secret of his desire to return to the Test team.

Maxwell, then 36 years old, had played the last of his seven Test matches in 2017, but was keen to score a ticket to Sri Lanka where he figured he could perform well.

Instead, selectors ignored what may have been the more popular pick, to instead take Inglis and Cooper Connolly to the subcontinent for the two-Test series.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

The Test series between South Africa and Australia is poised to finish in a thriller, with the Proteas leading by 40 runs and with six wickets in hand heading into day four of the deciding match.

The Cape Town clash has threatened to boil over on numerous occasions and another spot fire came after Marques Ackerman was dismissed in controversial circumstances. At 3-95, with South Africa trailing by five runs, Ackerman copped a brutal bouncer from Mitchell Starc and was caught by Cameron Green in the slips.

The ball hit Ackerman in the helmet as he tried to scoop it over the keeper, and he was given out caught.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

South Africa were in position to mount a huge fightback late on day three, before a Nathan Lyon peach put the Aussies right back on top.

Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke had only put on 36 runs together, but had soaked up 17 overs of pressure from the Aussie attack.

The plan would no doubt have been to get to stumps on a rock-solid platform and look to build a big lead on day four.

Instead, in the second last over of the day, Lyon floated one up to Bavuma, who looked as if he tried to hoick it over mid-wicket. Instead, the ball dipped, spun through the gate, and clattered into his middle and leg stump.

Bavuma immediately knew what he'd done. He stood still for a moment, shoulders low, and then trudged off the ground.

"A dagger to the heart of South Africa," Aussie commentator Mark Howard said on SuperSport.

Bavuma's wicket brought Ryan Rickelton to the crease, and he was nearly out first ball when he got a thick outside edge that bounced just short of Marnus Labuschagne at slip.

The Proteas will resume at 4-140 with a lead of 40.

READ HOW DAY THREE UNFOLDED HERE

Hello and welcome to nine.com.au's LIVE coverage of day four of the third Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town.

The Aussies will start the day in a commanding position, having taken four Proteas wickets, including the crucial wicket of Temba Bavuma late in the day.

Follow along for all the updates.