Inglis leads way as Australia takes control of deciding test vs South Africa

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Josh Inglis hit 85 not out on Wednesday to help Australia finish Day 2 of the deciding third and final cricket test firmly in control against South Africa on 330-4.

Playing his first test since December, Inglis struck nine fours and two sixes and put on an unbeaten 145-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Alex Carey.

Carey was 51 not out as Australia made a strong first-innings reply to South Africa's total of 329.

Earlier, Matt Renshaw scored 74 while Cameron Green returned from injury to add 65.

Renshaw had opened with Travis Head (41). The duo enjoyed a wicketless first hour before off-spinner Simon Harmer struck twice in an over to reduce Australia to 58-2.

Head was bowled – chopping onto his stumps – while Marnus Labuschagne was caught at slip for a five-ball duck.

Renshaw and Green added 32 runs before lunch before taking their third-wicket stand to 126 as Australia scored 73 in the first hour after the interval.

Marco Jansen then removed Renshaw as he chased a short delivery. There was a faint edge and he was given out caught behind via DRS.

It was Jansen’s 100th test wicket and he struck again two overs later, with Green caught at slip.

However, the final session belonged completely to Australia as it added 139 without further loss.

Inglis led the way while Carey claimed his first half-century in 12 test innings to help Australia record its first 100-plus stand for the fifth wicket against South Africa since 2014.

The series is tied at 1-1. Australia won the first test in Durban by 214 runs, while South Africa won the second match in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australia's Josh Inglis fields the ball on day one of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Australia's Josh Inglis plays a shot as South Africa's wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton watches on day two of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Australia's Josh Inglis, left, congratulated by Australia's Alex Carey after his fifty on day two of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Australia's Josh Inglis celebrates his fifty on day two of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

Australia's Josh Inglis plays a sweep shot as South Africa's wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton watches on day two of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

South Africa's Simon Harmer bats on day one of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town, South Africa, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

South Africa's Simon Harmer, right, attempts to field the ball as South Africa's Aiden Markram covers him on day five of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Gqeberha, South Africa, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Simon Harmer, center top, bowls during day five of the second cricket test match between South Africa and Australia in Gqeberha, South Africa, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Simon Harmer celebrates with teammates the wicket of Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, on day two of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

South Africa's Simon Harmer celebrates with teammates the wicket of Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, on day two of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Cape Town, South Africa, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes hadn't watched the tape of the Chiefs' game against the Los Angeles Chargers from last December — that game in which he tore ligaments in his left knee and Kansas City was eliminated from postseason contention — until just this week.

Even then, Mahomes didn't spend a whole lot of time dwelling on it.

“We've gotten by that pretty quickly,” he said.

That was evident in the rematch Sunday, a comprehensive 22-6 victory that kept Kansas City one of the NFL's final three unbeatens, and kept the Chargers one of the final two teams that have yet to win a game.

“Last year to me put football in perspective,” said Mahomes, who had 272 yards passing in his 100th career win. “We played in so many Super Bowls, and even last year when stuff wasn't going right, it was like, ‘We’re going to figure it out and make it happen.'”

The Chiefs never did figure it out. But they sure seem to have this year.

Much of it has to do with Kenneth Walker, their big free-agent acquisition, who ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday. Xavier Worthy added seven catches for 73 yards, and Travis Kelce hauled in five passes for 53, helping the Chiefs (5-0) to overcome injuries to Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton that had thinned their wide receiver corps.

“It's great to win in this league. And it's hard. It's a hard thing to do,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who improved to 23-5 in regular-season games following a bye. “They're not always going to be pretty, but you have to battle through.”

Kansas City joined San Francisco and Minnesota — both 5-0 — as the league’s only undefeated teams.

The game was hardly pretty on either side: The Chiefs had to overcome a myriad of short-yardage shortcomings and Harrison Butker missed a PAT and a field-goal try, while Los Angeles turned the ball over twice in another dismal offensive performance.

Justin Herbert finished with 204 yards passing with an interception. The Chargers ended up with 259 yards of total offense.

“It's obviously been tough,” Herbert said, “and now there's nothing we can do to look back and change what has happened.”

The Chargers, fresh off consecutive 11-win seasons, are mired in their worst start since 2000, when they matched their 1975 team by losing their first 11 games. The only other team that has yet to win this season is Miami, which is 0-5 and had the week off.

“There's no justification,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “There's nothing I would say that wouldn't sound like an excuse. I'm opposed to that to the core, and pointing fingers. But I believe this is a team game. Definitely, offensively, we need to evaluate. We need to look at it all — everything we're doing, how we're doing it.”

The Chiefs largely dominated Los Angeles from start to finish.

Walker, who leads the NFL in rushing, showed exactly why as they were adding to their early 3-0 lead. He squirted through a hole at the line of scrimmage, ran away from the last defender and scored from 33 yards out to extend Kansas City's advantage.

Walker added a 2-yard TD plunge later in the half, bouncing away from a defensive tackle and finding a crease into the end zone.

“The first guy never tackles him,” Mahomes said with a smile.

The banged-up Chargers, meanwhile, had no answers when they had the ball.

Herbert threw an inexplicable interception to Jack Cochrane to end a drive, his league-leading eighth of the season. Later, the Chargers quarterback ran right into the arms of Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton on third down, forcing Los Angeles to a punt.

The offensive ineptitude wasn't entirely Herbert's fault, though. The Chargers were missing offensive linemen Joe Alt and Kayode Awosika to injuries, along with leading receiver Tre' Harris. And the problems compounded in the second quarter, when wide receiver Ladd McConkey — just back from missing a game with a foot problem — was declared out with a concussion.

The Chargers tried to mount a second-half comeback, driving inside the Kansas City 15. But a run went nowhere and Herbert threw a pair of incompletions, forcing them to kick their second field goal, and the Chiefs controlled the game from there.

“You know,” Herbert said, “all those guys in that locker room care about each other — about this team — and we have the right guys. It hasn’t gone our way, but I know they’re going to continue to show up and give their best effort, and that’s all you can ask for.”

Chiefs CB Chris Roland-Wallace was ejected for throwing a punch at Chargers RT Alex Harkey early in the fourth quarter.

Chargers: CB Deane Leonard (concussion) left in the second half. ... S Derwin James Jr. (hamstring), CB Donte Jackson (hamstring) and EDGE Bud Dupree (neck) were inactive.

Chiefs: RT Jaylon Moore (concussion) left in the second quarter. ... TE Travis Kelce left briefly in the first half with an ankle injury. ... CB Nohl Williams missed a few plays early with a shoulder injury, but finished the game.

Chargers: Have a much-needed bye week off.

Chiefs: Visit Seattle next Sunday night.

This story has been corrected. A previous version erroneously reported the San Francisco 49ers were on their bye the same week as the Chargers-Chiefs game. The 49ers played on Monday, Oct. 19.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Los Angeles Chargers running back Keaton Mitchell (34) runs the ball as Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) gives chase during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton, left, as Herbert runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

WNBA player Caitlin Clark, from left, Este Haim, and Taylor Swift watch play between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Adds Este Haim

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) catches a pass and is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley, rear, during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, center left, and Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrate a touchdown scored on a rushing play by Walker III during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)