South Africa’s decision to make the most of favourable batting conditions produced a blistering start, but Australia fought back with two dramatic collapses to bowl the hosts out for 329 on Day 1 of the third Test in Cape Town.
Marques Ackerman and Aiden Markram laid the foundation with a commanding opening partnership before Mitchell Starc’s devastating spell with the second new ball turned the contest decisively in Australia’s favour.
After winning the toss, Australia captain Pat Cummins opted to bowl, banking on the moisture in the surface. However, the hard pitch offered little assistance early on, allowing South Africa to dominate the opening session.
Markram played with authority, using cuts and drives to keep the scoreboard moving, while Ackerman gradually shifted gears. The pair added 158 runs for the first wicket, South Africa’s first century opening stand in 42 innings.
Ackerman raced to 95 off 93 balls, while Markram contributed 78, as the hosts reached lunch at 140 without loss.
Nathan Lyon finally broke the stand by dismissing Ackerman, who stepped out but was beaten by the flight. The dismissal triggered a collapse, with Markram falling to Josh Hazlewood’s short ball, caught by a diving Starc at backward square.
Lyon then bowled captain Temba Bavuma, before Cooper Connolly claimed his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Matthew Breetzke. South Africa slipped from 158/0 to 216/4 and then 232/6, undoing much of their early dominance.
David Bedingham offered resistance with a composed half-century but fell to another short delivery, while Wiaan Mulder departed for a duck.
Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen steadied the innings, rebuilding with a useful partnership against the old ball. Jansen counter-attacked with aggressive pulls and cuts, while Rickelton provided support as South Africa looked to recover.
However, Starc changed the game with the second new ball, exploiting late swing to devastating effect. Rickelton and Jansen fell in quick succession before Starc removed the tail, claiming his third five-wicket haul against South Africa.
South Africa lost their final four wickets for just two runs, finishing at 329 all out. Starc returned figures of 6/72, while Lyon claimed 2/71 to ensure Australia recovered from a difficult start and seized the momentum heading into Day 2.
Brief scores: South Africa 329 all out (Marques Ackerman 95, Aiden Markram 78; Mitchell Starc 6/72, Nathan Lyon 2/71) vs Australia.
Marques Ackerman and Aiden Markram laid the foundation with a commanding opening partnership before Mitchell Starc’s devastating spell with the second new ball turned the contest decisively in Australia’s favour.
After winning the toss, Australia captain Pat Cummins opted to bowl, banking on the moisture in the surface. However, the hard pitch offered little assistance early on, allowing South Africa to dominate the opening session.
Ackerman, Markram put Australia on the back foot
Markram played with authority, using cuts and drives to keep the scoreboard moving, while Ackerman gradually shifted gears. The pair added 158 runs for the first wicket, South Africa’s first century opening stand in 42 innings.
Ackerman raced to 95 off 93 balls, while Markram contributed 78, as the hosts reached lunch at 140 without loss.
Nathan Lyon finally broke the stand by dismissing Ackerman, who stepped out but was beaten by the flight. The dismissal triggered a collapse, with Markram falling to Josh Hazlewood’s short ball, caught by a diving Starc at backward square.
Lyon then bowled captain Temba Bavuma, before Cooper Connolly claimed his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Matthew Breetzke. South Africa slipped from 158/0 to 216/4 and then 232/6, undoing much of their early dominance.
David Bedingham offered resistance with a composed half-century but fell to another short delivery, while Wiaan Mulder departed for a duck.
Starc strikes with the second new ball
Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen steadied the innings, rebuilding with a useful partnership against the old ball. Jansen counter-attacked with aggressive pulls and cuts, while Rickelton provided support as South Africa looked to recover.
However, Starc changed the game with the second new ball, exploiting late swing to devastating effect. Rickelton and Jansen fell in quick succession before Starc removed the tail, claiming his third five-wicket haul against South Africa.
South Africa lost their final four wickets for just two runs, finishing at 329 all out. Starc returned figures of 6/72, while Lyon claimed 2/71 to ensure Australia recovered from a difficult start and seized the momentum heading into Day 2.
Brief scores: South Africa 329 all out (Marques Ackerman 95, Aiden Markram 78; Mitchell Starc 6/72, Nathan Lyon 2/71) vs Australia.