Australia slip to 385-7 on day three as South Africa fight back at Newlands

Australia reached 385 for 7 on the third morning of the series-deciding third Test against South Africa at Newlands, having gone to stumps on day two in commanding fashion at 330 for 4.

That overnight position was built on an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 145 between Josh Inglis and Alex Carey, which carried Australia past South Africa's first-innings total of 329 in the final over of day two, according to Yahoo Sports.

Inglis, playing his first Test since December, was unbeaten on 85 with nine fours and two sixes, while Carey finished the day on 51 not out, his first half-century in 12 Test innings. The pair added 139 runs without loss in a dominant final session and produced Australia's first century-plus fifth-wicket partnership against South Africa since 2014.

Earlier on day two, Matt Renshaw made 74 and Cameron Green 65 as the pair put on 126 for the third wicket, taking Australia to 148 for 2 before lunch after an opening stand between Renshaw and Travis Head.

Off-spinner Simon Harmer struck twice in the same over to disrupt that platform, bowling Head for 41 as he dragged the ball onto his stumps and then removing Marnus Labuschagne for a five-ball duck, caught at slip.

Marco Jansen then swung momentum back South Africa's way by dismissing both Renshaw and Green within two overs. Renshaw was caught behind attempting to attack a short ball, confirmed by DRS, in what was Jansen's 100th Test wicket, before Green edged to slip soon after.

South Africa looked to have regained control before Inglis and Carey's stand took the match away from them by the close of day two, according to Yahoo Sports.

Guardian Cricket's live coverage of day three showed Australia losing further ground, with the total advancing from 380 for 7 to 385 for 7 across the 104th to 107th overs as Connolly and Mitchell Starc tried to rebuild.

Connolly, playing just his second Test, worked the strike over patiently, picking up singles off Simon Harmer through mid-on and long-off as he moved from 2 to 6 across those overs.

Starc, playing watchfully alongside him, had been dismissed for 6, 1 and 11 in his previous innings in the series and was beaten by movement from Kagiso Rabada, who found swing and seam without finding the edge.

The series stands level at 1-1 heading into this decider, with Australia having won the opening Test in Durban after South Africa took the second match of the rubber.

Play continues at Newlands with Australia looking to push their lead further past South Africa's first-innings total before the hosts attempt to work through the remaining lower order.