Starc Takes Four Wickets in Six Balls as South Africa Are Bowled Out for 329 on Day One in Cape Town

Australia fought back on the first day of the series-deciding third Test in Cape Town through Mitchell Starc. The left-arm fast bowler took 6 wickets for 72 runs as South Africa were bowled out for 329.

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and invited South Africa to bat. On a batting-friendly wicket, the hosts started strongly. Marques Ackermann, playing only the second Test of his career, and Aiden Markram took the opening partnership to 140 runs without loss by lunch. Ackermann had raced to 82 off 75 balls.

After the break, Ackermann was stumped off off-spinner Nathan Lyon with the team score on 158. He made 95 off 94 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes. His dismissal broke South Africa's rhythm.

Markram made 78 before giving a catch at short fine leg off Josh Hazlewood. Lyon then bowled captain Temba Bavuma for 0. South Africa lost 6 wickets for just 74 runs.

Then Starc took over. In two consecutive overs he dismissed David Bedingham (50) and Wiaan Mulder (0).

Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen tried to repair the damage with a 95-run partnership for the seventh wicket. But late in the day, Starc became dangerous again with the new ball.

On the fourth delivery with the new ball, Starc trapped Rickelton lbw for 42, and two balls later bowled Jansen for 52.

In his next over, Starc dismissed Gerald Coetzee with the first ball and then trapped Kagiso Rabada lbw with the third ball to end South Africa's innings. He had taken the last 4 wickets in the space of just six balls.

After losing the second Test in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs, Australia made four changes to their eleven for this match. Steve Smith was ruled out of the squad with a neck injury. Nick Maddinson, Beau Webster and Scott Boland were dropped. Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, all-rounder Cooper Connolly and spinner Nathan Lyon came in.