Cape Town Test: Starc Shines as Australia Post 429 in Reply

Cape Town, October 29: The final Test at Newlands took a decisive turn on day three. South Africa, having been bowled out for 329 in their first innings, were met with a formidable response from Australia, who ended their innings on 429 and gained a 100-run advantage on first-innings totals.

South Africa opted to bat after losing the toss. Marcus Ackerman and Aiden Markram put on 158 runs for the first wicket. Ackerman was dismissed for 95, with 14 boundaries to his name. Markram and David Bedingham then added 45 runs for the second wicket.

Markram's innings of 78 featured one six and ten fours, while Bedingham made 50 with seven fours. South Africa lost their sixth wicket at 232, but Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen steadied things with a 95-run seventh-wicket partnership. The total reached 329 with Rickelton on 42 and Jansen on 52.

The standout performance with the ball came from Mitchell Starc, who took 6 wickets for 72 runs. Nathan Lyon captured 2 wickets.

Australia lost Travis Head (41) and Marnus Labuschagne (0) early, with the score at 58. Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green then put on 126 runs for the third wicket. Renshaw was out for 74, while Green's 65 included 10 boundaries.

Josh Inglis (102) and Alex Carey (80) then added 185 runs for the fifth wicket, taking Australia to a substantial total. Simon Harmer led the South African bowling with 4 wickets, and Marco Jansen claimed 3.

South Africa resumed their second innings on the third day and lost two wickets for 31 runs. Captain Temba Bavuma scored 35 and shared a 64-run stand with Ackerman for the third wicket. Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke then added 36 runs for the fourth wicket. At stumps, Breetzke was unbeaten on 19, while Rickelton had 8.

In this innings, Starc took 2 wickets, while Josh Hazlewood and Lyon took one each. South Africa stand at 140 for four.