Australia found an unlikely hero in Josh Inglis during the third Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. Brought into the playing XI at short notice after Steve Smith was ruled out with a neck injury, Inglis produced a brilliant counter‑attacking century to rescue Australia from a difficult position.
The right‑hander made 102 runs off 135 deliveries, scoring 11 fours and two sixes. His innings lifted Australia from 191/4 and helped them secure a crucial first‑innings lead alongside Alex Carey. The feat was all the more remarkable given Inglis’s recent finger‑injury recovery and his late inclusion.
Josh Inglis Shines after Late Call‑Up with a Crucial Test Century
Inglis received only about 30 minutes’ notice before the match that he would be playing. He had been nursing a finger injury that kept him out of the first two Tests and had not featured in red‑ball cricket since March 2026. Australia were struggling after Marco Jansen dismissed Cameron Green and Marnus Labuschagne in quick succession, leaving the total at 191/4. Inglis joined Alex Carey and instantly began applying pressure on the South African bowling.
Carey adopted an anchoring role while Inglis counter‑attacked with confident drives and sweeps. He reached his century on the third morning, completing the milestone in 132 deliveries with a reverse‑sweep for four off Simon Harmer. Inglis was soon dismissed for 102, edging a ball to Ryan Rickelton, but his 145‑run partnership with Carey had already swung the momentum in Australia’s favour.
Mitchell Starc’s Six‑Wicket Haul Turns the Tide in Cape Town
South Africa dominated the opening session of Day 1, thanks to a 158‑run partnership between Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman. Markram scored 78 while Ackerman fell just short of a century on 95. Australia responded after Nathan Lyon removed Ackerman, triggering a collapse of six wickets for 74 runs. David Bedingham top‑scored with 50 and Jansen added 52, yet the hosts were eventually bowled out for 329.
Mitchell Starc led the Australian fight‑back with a stellar spell of 6/72. The left‑arm pacer claimed four wickets in a fierce second‑new‑ball burst, removing key Protea batters and wrapping up the innings. His performance gave Australia a solid platform to chase the target.
Fans Hail Inglis’s Heroic Performance
Josh Inglis played a fantastic knock #JoshInglis #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/5cO5aL20qu
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 29, 2026
– 2 Hundreds in Tests.
– 2 Hundreds in ODIs.
– 2 Hundreds in T20Is.JOSH INGLIS – A utility player in all formats for Australia in International cricket pic.twitter.com/BRdsjPKn6B
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 29, 2026
Josh Inglis joins 26 other Australians to have two Test centuries in their first 6 Tests. And the last one was….?
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) October 29, 2026
Josh Inglis gajab ka player
— Khush Raho (@KhusshRaho) October 29, 2026
Australians who have scored multiple centuries in all three international formats:
Josh Inglis
That’s the complete list.#SAvAUS
— Louis Cameron (@LouisDBCameron) October 29, 2026
Josh Inglis turns his overnight 85 into a century on day three at Newlands before falling to Simon Harmer for 102 off 135 balls, caught by Ryan Rickelton. #SAvAUS #TestCricket pic.twitter.com/KShFRXiUer
— Harshit singh (@Harshit92135329) October 29, 2026
Josh Inglis has ended Marnus Labuschagne test Career in a single innings.
– He registered his second test hundred when it matters the most. pic.twitter.com/YeY2zGPLXq
— Kashif (@KashifNdmCric) October 29, 2026
WELL PLAYED, JOSH INGLIS..!!
Runs – 102.
Balls – 135.
Fours – 11.
Sixes – 2.He replaced Steve Smith and smashed a brilliant hundred against South Africa in South Africa. #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/cxEQqjfuky
— Rana Ahmad. (@AhmadRana056) October 29, 2026
COME ON! Josh Inglis brings up his second Test century in just his 8th Test innings! #SAvAUS #Unbreakable #TheProteas #Australia #CapeTown #JoshInglis pic.twitter.com/enZtUIoUOf
— Diptiman Yadav (@diptiman_6450) October 29, 2026
Super innings from Josh Inglis. Was fortunate to witness his maiden ton live in Galle #SAvAUS
— Smokie Dawson (@smokiedawson) October 29, 2026

