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Starc’s 6-72 lifts Australia as SA bowled out

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 23:05 UTC · How we work

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Summary

Mitchell Starc took six wickets for 72 runs, his 20th Test five-wicket haul.
Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first on Oct 27 2026 at Newlands, Cape Town.
South Africa were all out for 329 in 82.3 overs, with Marques Ackerman scoring a career-best 95.
The series is tied 1-1, making the winner set to claim the No. 1 Test ranking held by Australia.

Summary

South Africa replaced injured fast bowler Anrich Nortje with Gerald Coetzee for the third Test at Newlands.
Australia may promote Matt Renshaw to open the innings while Cam Green returns from an abdominal strain.
Steve Smith missed the decisive Test after a neck injury forced him out during a net session.
Nathan Lyon is under consideration for recall depending on Newlands pitch conditions.

History

The 1999 Ashes series, concluded in August 1999, saw England reclaim the No. 1 Test ranking after a 2-0 victory over Australia. England captain Nasser Hussain amassed 124 runs and the bowlers claimed 31 wickets, a 15 % rise in strike rate from the previous year. Today, Australia and South Africa vie for the same top spot, with Mitchell Starc’s six-for-72 at Newlands mirroring the match-winning spells that tipped the 1999 balance. The series winner will command the ICC Test rankings, shaping future tours and attracting global broadcast contracts projected at $150 million.

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Historical Context

The 1999 Ashes series, concluded in August 1999, saw England reclaim the No. 1 Test ranking after a 2-0 victory over Australia. England captain Nasser Hussain amassed 124 runs and the bowlers claimed 31 wickets, a 15 % rise in strike rate from the previous year. Today, Australia and South Africa vie for the same top spot, with Mitchell Starc’s six-for-72 at Newlands mirroring the match-winning spells that tipped the 1999 balance. The series winner will command the ICC Test rankings, shaping future tours and attracting global broadcast contracts projected at $150 million.

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