Arabic version: أستراليا تنتفض بعد بداية جنوب أفريقية سريعة في كيب تاون

According to The Guardian, Australia recovered strongly after South Africa’s openers raced to 140 by lunch on the opening day of the deciding Test in Cape Town. The hosts were eventually dismissed for 329, with Mitchell Starc taking 6 for 72 and claiming four wickets in six balls to finish the innings.

Australia had chosen to bowl first, but Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman took advantage of a surface offering little movement early on. Starc and Josh Hazlewood were punished as the opening pair built a rapid stand, while Nathan Lyon was introduced in the 12th over.

Lyon provided the breakthrough when Ackerman, on 95, was stumped after advancing down the pitch. Markram later fell to Hazlewood, and Lyon bowled Bavuma. Cooper Connolly then secured his first Test wicket when Matthew Breetzke was given lbw on review.

David Bedingham made 50 before he was caught at fine leg, while Wiaan Mulder departed for nought. South Africa slipped from 158 without loss to 216 for six, before Marco Jansen and Ryan Rickelton added 95. Jansen reached 52 and Rickelton made 42.

With cloud cover arriving late in the day, Starc used the new ball to dismantle the lower order. He trapped Rickelton lbw, bowled Jansen and then dismissed Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada as South Africa lost four wickets for two runs. Australia made four non-disciplinary changes for the Test, including the return of Lyon and the inclusion of Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly.