Australia's Mitchell Starc (AP/PTI)
Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell to claim his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, helping Australia stage a remarkable comeback against South Africa on the opening day of the deciding third Test at Newlands on Tuesday.The left-arm pacer returned figures of 6/72 as South Africa collapsed from 203/1 to 329 all out after appearing firmly in control of the contest. His latest haul also took his tally of five-wicket hauls in international cricket to 29, placing him alongside Dale Steyn among the most prolific fast bowlers in the format.
Starc now has 20 five-wicket hauls in Tests and nine in ODIs. He has moved to the top of the list of active fast bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, ahead of Kagiso Rabada, who has 17, and
Jasprit Bumrah
, who has 16.In the all-time list of fast bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in international cricket, Starc sits sixth, behind Richard Hadlee (41), Glenn McGrath (36), Waqar Younis (35), James Anderson (34) and Wasim Akram (31).South Africa had looked set for a commanding first-innings total after openers Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman added 140 runs. Ackerman made 95 off 94 balls, while Markram scored 78 as the hosts reached 203/1.
However, Starc triggered a dramatic collapse, removing David Bedingham for 50 and Wiaan Mulder for a duck in quick succession. After South Africa recovered through a 95-run seventh-wicket partnership between Marco Jansen and Ryan Rickelton, Starc returned with the second new ball to dismantle the tail.He dismissed Rickelton for 42 before bowling Jansen for 52. Starc then claimed Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada for consecutive golden ducks, completing a stunning turnaround as South Africa lost four wickets in six balls.His figures of 6/72 were also his best against South Africa in Test cricket, improving on his previous best of 6/154 in Perth in 2012.The series remains level at 1-1, with the third Test set to determine the winner.
Most five-wicket hauls in international cricket among fast bowlers
| Rank | Player | Test | ODI | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Richard Hadlee | 36 | 5 | 41 |
| 2 | Glenn McGrath | 29 | 7 | 36 |
| 3 | Waqar Younis | 22 | 13 | 35 |
| 4 | James Anderson | 32 | 2 | 34 |
| 5 | Wasim Akram | 25 | 6 | 31 |
| 6 | Mitchell Starc | 20 | 9 | 29 |
| 6 | Dale Steyn | 26 | 3 | 29 |
| 8 | Ian Botham | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| 9 | Curtly Ambrose | 22 | 4 | 26 |
Most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket among active fast bowlers
| Rank | Player | Five-wicket hauls | Innings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Starc | 20 | 210 |
| 2 | Kagiso Rabada | 17 | 136 |
| 3 | Jasprit Bumrah | 16 | 99 |
| 4 | Josh Hazlewood | 15 | 151 |
| 5 | Pat Cummins | 14 | 141 |
| 6 | Kemar Roach | 11 | 156 |