Time the enemy for Aussies in first Test after Smith's day in Durban

The third day of the Durban Test between Australia and South Africa saw Australia asserting its dominance through meticulous fielding and disciplined bowling. After South Africa posted a total of 284, Australia maintained tight lines, safe hands and executed bowling plans with precision. Steve Smith, in particular, demonstrated his exceptional skill in the field, catching four highlights that moved him to the top of Test catches all-time list.

Smith's most notable catch came when he leapt to catch Kyle Verreynne's reverse sweep of Nathan Lyon, an action that left teammate Marnus Labuschagne awestruck. This extraordinary display exemplified the unique "Australianism" of the team, as noted by English cricket writer John Arlott. The remainder of the day was dominated by Australia's bowlers, with Pat Cummins and Steve Smith particularly noteworthy for their vigour and skill.

South Africa's top order showed promise with an early 84-run partnership, but succumbed to high-quality bowling from Mitchell Starc, who consistently troubled the Proteas. While South Africa's tail remained composed, the game's progress was continually hampered by bad light, signifying that the contest would likely continue under reduced overs.