Australia collapses to 60-7 in pursuit of 288 as South Africa closes in on victory in 3rd test

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — In the third test match against South Africa, Australia faltered to a disastrous 60-7 at lunch on Saturday. Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer both contributed crucial wickets. Rabada claimed 3-14 in just five overs, while Harmer took 3-5 in eight overs. Chasing 288 to secure the test and the series, Australia faced a challenging morning session against both pace and spin.

After scoring 429 in their first innings and taking a 100-run lead, Australia suffered a harrowing morning session. Rabada dismissed Matt Renshaw for a golden duck, caught behind down the leg side, followed by the dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne for a lbw shouldering arms. Travis Head and Josh Inglis also fell cheaply, with the latter run out attempting a non-existent run.

Australia's second innings disintegrated as Harmer took Alex Carey for a catch at backward point, and Cooper Connolly was caught behind for a duck. Despite Starc's lack of impact with the ball, Australia's previous fourth innings' lowest total against South Africa stands at 107, achieved in Cape Town in 2018 during a loss by 322 runs.