Harmer takes ten as South Africa clinches Test series against Australia
- South Africa won the third Test by 176 runs to claim the series 2-1.
- Simon Harmer finished with match figures of 10 for 120.
- Kagiso Rabada reached his 350th Test wicket in record time.
- South Africa secured the No. 1 Test ranking and the WTC mace.
- Australia was bowled out for 111 in their fourth-innings chase.
South Africa defeated Australia by 176 runs at Newlands to clinch the three-match Test series 2-1. 1 Test ranking for the South African team.
Following the win, the team earned the label of "undisputed Kings of Test cricket". The result marks South Africa’s second consecutive home series win over Australia since readmission, achieved under captain Temba Bavuma.
The team currently holds the World Test Championship mace.
Simon Harmer claims ten wickets in match-winning performance
Simon Harmer delivered a match-winning performance with 10 wickets for 120 runs. He secured 6 for 16 off 21.1 overs during the fourth innings.
Harmer claimed his third career five-wicket haul in Tests during the final innings. He dismissed Pat Cummins for 11 runs via lbw.
In his fourth over, Harmer removed Alex Carey and Cooper Connolly. He later caught Mitchell Starc at bat-pad, leaving Australia 60 for 7 before lunch.
Earlier in the match, Harmer dropped a catch off Green. He later caught Alex Carey’s reverse sweep, which Marco Jansen took at backward point.
Kagiso Rabada reaches 350 Test wickets in record time
Kagiso Rabada reached his 350th Test wicket during the match, achieving the milestone in the fewest deliveries bowled. He opened with a spell of 3 for 14 off five overs.
Rabada dismissed Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head. Labuschagne, who scored 131 runs at an average of 21.83 for the series, fell lbw to Rabada after a risky first-ball boundary. Head edged the ball to gully and was dismissed by Rabada.
Rabada recovered to bowl effectively despite suffering stomach cramps earlier in the match.
South Africa mounts comeback from 40 for 4
South Africa recovered after starting day four at 40 for 4 in their second innings. The team mounted a comeback to win the match.
Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder each scored a century. These efforts helped South Africa set a target of 288 runs for Australia.
Australia collapses in fourth-innings chase
Australia collapsed in the fourth-innings chase, scoring only 111 runs.
Josh Inglis fell for 4 after a run-out caused by a misjudgment from Cameron Green.
Cummins and Nathan Lyon added 45 runs for the ninth wicket, with Lyon finishing as the top scorer at 33 not out.
Context of the series and Australia's return to Cape Town
The visitors posted 429 in the first innings using a new-look batting order.
Steven Smith withdrew from the match with a neck injury after averaging 20.75 across the opening two Tests. The series featured notable performances from Jansen and the emergence of Renshaw.
Before the match, Simon Harmer expressed his desire for a "spectacular" turnaround at Newlands.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Harmer takes ten in the match as SA clinch series decider against Australia (cricinfo.com)
- Simon Harmer and Rabada dismantle Australia in Cape Town; South Africa storm to 2-1 series win (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
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