Mitchell Starc's Six-Wicket Haul Leads Australia to Bowl Out South Africa for 329
Australia's Strong Bowling Performance on Day 1
In Cape Town, on October 27, Mitchell Starc showcased an impressive bowling display, taking six wickets as Australia managed to dismiss South Africa for 329 runs on the first day of the third Test at Newlands. The hosts initially made a solid start, with an opening partnership of 158 runs between Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman.
After winning the toss, Australian captain Pat Cummins opted to field first. South Africa dominated the early session, reaching 140 runs without losing a wicket by lunch. Ackerman was particularly aggressive, scoring an unbeaten 82 off just 75 deliveries, while Markram supported him with 56 runs off 87 balls.
Following the break, Ackerman continued his attacking play until Nathan Lyon stumped him for 95, just shy of a century. This breakthrough allowed Australia to regroup as Markram and David Bedingham added 45 runs for the second wicket before Josh Hazlewood dismissed Markram for 78.
In the next over, Nathan Lyon bowled out South African captain Temba Bavuma for a duck, leaving the hosts at 205 for 3 after 46 overs. Allrounder Cooper Connolly then claimed his first Test wicket, trapping Matthew Breetzke for just two runs after a successful DRS review.
South Africa's innings faltered from 203 for 1 to 220 for 4 by tea, as Australia began to fight back. After the break, Mitchell Starc struck twice in one over, dismissing a well-set David Bedingham (50) and Wiaan Mulder (0), leaving South Africa struggling at 232 for 6.
Just when it seemed Australia would wrap up the innings swiftly, Marco Jansen and Ryan Rickelton formed a resilient partnership, adding 95 runs to take South Africa to 327 for 6 in 80.3 overs. However, Starc returned to claim both Rickelton (42) and Jansen (52) in the same over, reducing the hosts to 328 for 8.
Starc then completed the innings by taking the last two wickets of Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada in the following over, bowling South Africa out for 329 in 82.3 overs, concluding a dramatic first day. Nathan Lyon contributed with two wickets for 71 runs, while Josh Hazlewood and Cooper Connolly each took one wicket. Starc's outstanding figures of 6 for 72 in 16.3 overs highlighted his performance.
With South Africa's first innings concluded, Australia will commence their batting on Day 2, with the series tied at 1-1, setting the stage for an exciting second day.