Starc takes six as South Africa fall for 329 in Cape Town decider

Mitchell Starc took six wickets as Australia dismissed South Africa for 329 on Tuesday, recovering from a difficult opening session in the deciding third Test at Newlands. Australia had not begun their first innings when play ended in Cape Town. Reuters reported that the visitors will start their reply on the second morning, with the three-match series level at 1-1.

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South Africa initially made Australia's decision to field look costly. Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman reached lunch with 140 runs on the board and no wickets lost, according to the ICC's match report. Their opening partnership eventually reached 158 before Ackerman was stumped by Alex Carey off Nathan Lyon for 95, falling five runs short of his first Test century.

The hosts subsequently slipped from 203-1 to 232-6 as Australia gained control through the middle of the day. Markram made 78 and David Bedingham scored 50, while Wiaan Mulder was dismissed without scoring. BBC Sport reported that all three fell trying to attack short deliveries. Lyon also removed captain Temba Bavuma, and Cooper Connolly trapped Matthew Breetzke lbw for two.

Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen rebuilt the innings with a seventh-wicket partnership of 95. Rickelton contributed 42 and Jansen made 52, restoring South Africa to 327-6 before Starc struck with the second new ball. He removed both batters, then dismissed Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada for ducks. The final four wickets added only two runs, with Starc finishing on 6-72.

The ICC said the performance gave Starc his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Speaking after play, the fast bowler said Australia had expected more assistance from the pitch and needed to reassess their approach at lunch, Reuters reported. He credited the adjustments made during the day after the bowlers struggled to contain South Africa in the opening session.

Australia entered the match without Steve Smith, who was ruled out with a neck injury. The tourists won the series opener in Durban by 214 runs before South Africa levelled matters with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha. Reuters reported that the winner of this Test will finish the series at the top of the world rankings, a position Australia currently hold.