Australia vs South Africa: Deciding Third Test – Day One Drama

The series was level at 1-1 after Australia won the opening Test in Durban and South Africa took the second in Gqeberha. Heading into the final Test at Newlands, Cape Town, Australia faced a selection headache: Steve Smith was ruled out with a neck injury and four changes were made, including Cameron Green, wicket-keeper Josh Inglis, all-rounder Cooper Connolly and spinner Nathan Lyon.

Express Tribune

Captain Pat Cummins elected to bowl first on a “straw-coloured” pitch under clear skies, the first time a captain chose to field at Newlands since Faf du Plessis in 2019.

WAtoday

South Africa began strongly, with opener Aiden Markram and second-order Marques Ackerman compiling a 158-run opening partnership before lunch, reaching 140 runs without loss.

Starc Takes Six as Australia Fight Back After Proteas’ Strong Start at Newlands

The partnership fell after Ackerman was stumped off Lyon’s delivery and Markram was caught off Hazlewood. A collapse triggered by Mitchell Starc’s second-new-ball spell saw him claim six wickets for 72 runs, removing Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada in four wickets in six balls. South Africa were bowled out for 329 in 82.3 overs, leaving Australia with a realistic chance to clinch the series.

South Africa vs Australia, third Test: Mitchell Starc bags six-wicket haul as visitors fight back in series decider Mitchell Starc’s 6-72 sparks Australia recovery as South Africa slides from 203-1 to 329 all out Mitchell Starc takes six as Australia fight back against South Africa Starc Takes Six as Australia Fight Back After Proteas’ Strong Start at Newlands WAtodaySouth Africa were 158 for 0 at Newlands, and Starc’s 6 for 72 bowled them out for 329 in the decider

• South Africa 329 all out (82.3 overs) – Ackerman 95, Markram 78, Jansen 52, Bedingham 50, Rickelton 42.

Mitchell Starc’s 6-72 sparks Australia recovery as South Africa slides from 203-1 to 329 all out

• Mitchell Starc 6/72 (16.3 overs), Nathan Lyon 2/71, Josh Hazlewood 1/?.

South Africa were 158 for 0 at Newlands, and Starc’s 6 for 72 bowled them out for 329 in the decider

• Opening partnership 158 runs (31.4 overs).

Starc Takes Six as Australia Fight Back After Proteas’ Strong Start at Newlands

• Reports differ on the drinks-break score: 192-1 (BBC, Channel NewsAsia) vs 203-1 (Guardian, SkySports).

The Guardian

Pat Cummins said he wanted to exploit “moisture in the pitch” and expected early swing to help Australia. South African captain Temba Bavuma noted Newlands’ October conditions are unusual and that the team would need “the extra bit of pace” from replacement fast bowler Gerald Coetzee.

The Straits Times

• “We probably expected more out of the wicket, it was not our best start and South Africa took advantage,” — Mitchell Starc.

Channel News Asia - CNA

• “We have played first-class cricket at this time of year at Newlands, but the way they prepare the wickets for first-class games and tests is quite different.” — Temba Bavuma.

The Straits Times

Sources differ on South Africa’s score at the drinks break, leaving a minor statistical gap in the day’s chronology.

Starc Takes Six as Australia Fight Back After Proteas’ Strong Start at Newlands

Day 2 of the Test is scheduled for October 28, 2026. Australia will bat first, aiming to set a target that could secure the series and retain the number-one spot in the ICC Test rankings. South Africa will look to leverage their pace attack, including Gerald Coetzee, to counter the Australian batting line-up.

Channel News Asia - CNA