Lyon removes Bavuma as South Africa cling to slim lead in Cape Town

South Africa looked set to reach the close without further loss. Nathan Lyon then dismissed Temba Bavuma for 35 on Thursday 29 October at Newlands. His exit, at 131 for four, checked the Proteas, who finish the day on 140 for four in their second innings, with a lead of only 40 runs over Australia.

That total sums up the difficulty of their position in this third and final Test, a match scheduled for five days. The South Africans had scored 329 in their first innings, against 429 for the tourists. Each side has two innings with the bat. The Proteas therefore had to make up those 100 runs, then build a lead big enough to withstand Australia's final innings.

Ackerman revives the Proteas

South Africa's reply was fragile at first. Aiden Markram fell for one to a delivery from Mitchell Starc. David Bedingham, credited with 11, was then dismissed by Josh Hazlewood. At 31 for two, the Proteas were still far from clearing their deficit.

Marques Ackerman and Bavuma then added 64 together, taking the total from 31 to 95. With 62 to his name, Ackerman carried the rebuild before falling in turn to Starc. South Africa were 95 for three, still five runs behind: they could still move ahead, but had fewer batters left to widen their margin.

Six wickets still in hand

Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke then added 36 until Lyon's late breakthrough, at 131 for four. Breetzke, unbeaten on 19, and Ryan Rickelton, on eight, then saw out the close without further loss.

They resume on Friday with a clear task: to extend that lead before Australia return to the crease. The Proteas can still lose six wickets before the end of their innings. The lead of 40 is a starting point, not yet a comfortable target to defend. The Test remains open with two days left of its scheduled duration.

To keep following the story: the key points for understanding a Test scorecard.