TLDR
Steve Smith took four catches at slip on day three in Durban to reach 223 Test catches, passing Joe Root's record of 220 for the most by a non-wicketkeeper. South Africa were bowled out for 284 in reply to Australia's 390, and Australia were 0-33 at stumps, a lead of 139.
Smith breaks Root's record with four-catch haul
Steve Smith took four catches at slip on day three of the first Test in Durban to reach 223 career Test catches, surpassing Joe Root's record of 220 for the most by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket. The milestone came during South Africa's first-innings reply at Kingsmead.
Smith flung himself full-stretch at slip to dismiss David Bedingham off the bowling of Pat Cummins, completing his 221st catch to break the record outright. He had already caught Temba Bavuma off a reverse sweep, and later took Kyle Verreynne one-handed before a slip catch off Anrich Nortje completed a four-catch haul for the innings.
Smith joins elite company in the cordon
Smith's tally of 223 puts him clear of Root (220) and Rahul Dravid, who sits third on 210, at the top of the all-time list for non-wicketkeepers. The four-catch day at Kingsmead extended a lead he had only just taken.
Pat Cummins' short-pitched bowling combined with Smith's work at slip to bundle South Africa out for 284 in their first innings, leaving them 106 runs behind Australia's 390. Matt Renshaw's marathon 190 had anchored Australia's total, with Renshaw telling reporters he had always wanted that second Test century.
Australia extend lead on day three
Australia closed day three at 0-33, with Nic Maddinson unbeaten on 17 and Travis Head on 10, pushing the overall lead to 139 runs. Day four at Kingsmead begins with Australia holding a commanding position.
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