Steve Smith regains Test catches record as Australia lead South Africa
Smith lifted his career tally to 223 at Kingsmead, while Australia finished day three 139 runs ahead after another stoppage for bad light.
Steve Smith has moved back ahead of Joe Root for the most career Test catches, taking four as Australia dismissed South Africa for 284 on day three in Durban. Australia then reached 0-33 before poor light halted play, holding an overall advantage of 139 runs.
Smith finished the innings with 223 catches, surpassing Root’s mark of 220. Two came from anticipating reverse-sweeps against Nathan Lyon: he dismissed Temba Bavuma for three and took a one-handed catch to remove Kyle Verreynne for 13.
He also caught David Bedingham for 49 at second slip from Pat Cummins’ bowling. Lyon praised Smith’s ability to read the game and move early into position.
Cummins returned 3-54, with Lyon taking 2-58 and Josh Hazlewood 2-54. Cummins, Lyon, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc also became the first four-player group to reach 600 wickets in Tests in which they have played together.
South Africa’s last two wickets contributed 87 runs through Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Anrich Nortje. Australia had made 390 in their opening innings, including 190 from Matt Renshaw.
Nic Maddinson was unbeaten on 17 at the close after a 33-ball duck in his first innings. Bad light has cost the match 45 overs despite a 9.30am start.
