Watch: Mitchell Starc’s four wickets in six balls blow away South Africa for 329- SA vs AUS 3rd Test

During the third Test of the three-match series between South Africa and Australia at Newlands in Cape Town, Mitchell Starc went through the lower order of the Proteas and bundled the hosts for 329 runs by the end of the opening day’s play. The left-arm pacer picked up four wickets in six balls. 

When the Australian captain, Pat Cummins, won the toss and decided to bowl first on a perfect batting surface under glorious sunshine, many raised their eyebrows. It took its toll as the management decided to drop Scott Boland for this contest.

Watch Mitchell Starc take four wickets in six balls

The second new ball was taken immediately. On the fourth ball of the over, Starc pitched the ball in the middle of Ryan Rickelton’s stumps as he looked to flick it away. The ball swung away late, beating the outside edge and smashing him on the back pad. The southpaw didn’t even bother to go for the review.

Watch the moment here- 

Two deliveries later, Starc put a devastating yorker that swung late and crashed into the off stump of Marco Jansen, who was drawn into the shot at the last moment and went back to the dressing room for 52 runs.

See Also: Watch: Kagiso Rabada bowls 155 kmph to Travis Head during SA vs AUS 2nd Test

On the first ball of the 83rd over of the innings, Starc celebrated his fifer with the wicket of Gerald Coetzee for a golden duck. The ball swung sharply and deflected off the pad into the middle and leg of the batter. He finished with the wicket of Kagiso Rabada and returned with figures of 6/72 runs in 16.3 overs at an economy rate of 4.40.  

How Australia made a comeback against South Africa in the 3rd Test

South Africa didn’t lose a single wicket in the first session of the Test match as the opening pair of Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman smashed a fine partnership of 158 runs before the latter’s dismissal of 95 runs off 94 balls. Markram was dismissed for 78 runs off 141 balls, while David Bevingham, at 3, celebrated his fifty.

The Proteas, from 203/1 in 44.3 overs, were reduced to 232/6 in 56.4, and lost their five wickets for just 29 runs in 12.1 overs. Rickelton and Marcon Jansen’s fine 95-run stand for the seventh wicket crossed them the 300-run mark, while they lost their last four wickets for two runs.

See Also: Watch: Travis Head smashes superb century in Gqeberha as Australia fight to save SA vs AUS 2nd Test

Brief Scores: South Africa 329 (Marques Ackerman 95, Aiden Markram 78, Mitchell Starc 6/72) vs Australia