Cape Town, 29 October (H.S.): Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis etched his name into the record books with a brilliant century in the decisive third Test against South Africa at Newlands on Thursday. Inglis reached his hundred off 132 balls on the third day, playing a crucial role in helping Australia take the lead in the first innings.

Making his return to the Test playing XI after nearly a year, Inglis struck 11 fours and two sixes before being dismissed for 102 by Simon Harmer. His innings strengthened Australia's position as they responded to South Africa's first-innings total of 329.

With this century, Inglis became the first Australian cricketer to score multiple centuries in each of the three international formats — Tests, One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). It was his second Test century, following his hundred against Sri Lanka on Australian cricket's tour of the island nation last year.

Only three Australian batters have scored more than one century in T20Is. Besides Inglis, Glenn Maxwell has five T20I hundreds, while Aaron Finch has two. However, neither Maxwell nor Finch has scored multiple centuries in all three international formats.

Maxwell has four ODI centuries and one Test hundred, which came against India in 2017. Finch, meanwhile, scored 17 centuries in ODIs but never registered a Test hundred. Inglis has therefore achieved the distinction of scoring multiple centuries in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.

Inglis returned to the Australian Test side after recovering from a fractured finger sustained during the preceding ODI series against South Africa. His previous Test appearance had come during the 2025 Ashes series on home soil.

Australia made four changes to their playing XI for the series decider, bringing in Inglis, Cameron Green, Nathan Lyon and Cooper Connolly.

Inglis came to the crease when Australia were placed at 184 for three. Green, who had scored 65, was dismissed by Harmer, and Australia subsequently lost two quick wickets to slip to 185 for four on the second day. Inglis then combined with Alex Carey to stabilise the innings and strengthen Australia's position.

On Thursday, Inglis continued his attacking approach and brought up his century with a reverse sweep off Harmer after facing 132 balls. Although he was dismissed for 102 by the same bowler, his valuable contribution helped Australia move into a commanding position and secure a first-innings lead over South Africa.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar