Josh Inglis scripts history, becomes first Australian to score multiple centuries across three formats

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis etched his name into the record books on Thursday, becoming the first Australian cricketer to score multiple centuries across all three international formats. His 102 off 135 balls on Day 3 of the third and series-deciding Test against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town on Thursday powered Australia to a 100-run first-innings lead.

Inglis, returning to the Test XI after nearly a year on the sidelines, walked in with Australia at 184/3 (soon 185/4) in reply to South Africa’s 329. He forged a crucial 185-run fifth-wicket partnership with Alex Carey (80) before falling to off-spinner Simon Harmer, caught behind shortly after reaching his landmark.

He brought up the century in style with a reverse sweep off Harmer’s bowling, having faced 132 balls for the three-figure mark and finishing with 11 fours and two sixes.⁠

The knock was all the more impressive given the circumstances. Inglis had been sidelined by a fractured finger sustained during the recent ODI series against South Africa and was still wearing a splint on his index finger.

He was drafted into the side for this match only after Steve Smith was ruled out with a neck injury. It was his first red-ball game since March in the Sheffield Shield and his first Test since the 2025 Ashes.⁠

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A Rare All-Format Milestone

While several Australian greats have notched tons in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, none had managed to register at least two hundreds in each discipline. Inglis' second Test century completed the exclusive set:

Tests: 2 centuries  

ODIs: 2 centuries

T20Is: 2 centuries

Inglis' maiden Test hundred came on debut against Sri Lanka at Galle in early 2025; this was his second in just his sixth Test. His ODI tons include a 120 not out against England and another against Zimbabwe, while his T20I hundreds came against India (110 off 50 balls in Visakhapatnam) and Scotland (a record 43-ball century, the fastest by an Australian in the format).⁠

Decisive Partnership Shifts The Balance

Coming into the series decider locked at 1-1, Australia faced early pressure before Inglis combined with Alex Carey (80) in a momentum-shifting middle-order stand.

The pair disrupted South Africa's lengths with sharp strike rotation and proactive boundary hitting, blunting the home pace attack and pressing the advantage.

Although Harmer eventually broke the partnership and dismissed Inglis shortly after his hundred, the damage was already done. Australia's three-figure cushion gives them a firm grip on both the series trophy and crucial World Test Championship points as South Africa bat to stay in the contest.