Smith breaks test catch record as Australia leads South Africa

Australia's Steve Smith surpassed the previous record of 220 test catches held by England's Joe Root, reaching a total of 222. The achievement came during the first test against South Africa, which saw the hosts score 238 runs for eight wickets and still trail the tourists by 152 runs at tea on the third day at Kingsmead.

Smith's three crucial catches on Sunday included a flying dive across first slip to dismiss David Bedingham and two outstanding efforts to take Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne. The catches came as South Africa's batsmen struggled with loose shots against Nathan Lyon's spin bowling.

Australia's captain Pat Cummins led the bowling attack with 3-54, contributing to the loss of key wickets. South Africa's batsmen were caught playing loose shots, with three falling before lunch and four more in the second session.

South Africa added 57 runs to their overnight total of 27-1, but the innings ended with Aiden Markram caught by Matt Renshaw for 37. Bavuma was dismissed for three runs after an injudicious reverse sweep, and Bedingham was out for 49 after a spectacular catch by Smith.

After lunch, Cummins took two quick wickets with Wiaan Mulder and Tristan Stubbs dismissed for 30 and 32 respectively. Marco Jansen and Verreynne formed a 35-run partnership before Smith's one-handed catch ended Verreynne's innings at 13.

Jansen was dismissed for 26 off 20 balls after a miscued shot. Simon Harmer (17 not out) and Keshav Maharaj (23 not out) were offering some late resistance for South Africa in an unbeaten 41-run partnership for the ninth wicket. The opening two days of the test both ended early when bad light stopped play, with extra time added on to all three of Sunday's sessions.