Proteas bowlers strangle Australia to wrap up 2-1 Test series victory
While Kagiso Rabada did the early work on day five of the series decider, Simon Harmer stole the show by securing his first 10-wicket haul in a Test.
South Africa secured a 2-1 Test series victory over Australia with a dominant display in Cape Town's third and final Test. The Proteas reclaimed the series after losing the first game. This marked the national side's first Test series triumph over Australia since 2018. In the second innings, South Africa started with a target of 288 runs to win, but Australia's chase faltered from the outset.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada dismissed Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne in the first over, and claimed Travis Head's wicket the following over, leaving Australia at 22/3. Middle-order batsman Travis Head was followed by three more wickets falling to spin bowler Simon Harmer in nine overs before lunch. Simon Harmer's exceptional bowling continued, claiming three more wickets in the morning session.
In the afternoon, Harmer removed Cameron Green for just 27 runs off 110 balls, effectively sealing Australia's fate. By the time the tourists were dismissed for a paltry 111 runs, tail-ender Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon had attempted a last-ditch fight, but to no avail. Australia's Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon put up a valiant effort, with Cummins scoring 11 runs off 90 balls and Lyon contributing 33 runs not out off 57 balls.
Despite their efforts, Australia were bowled out before tea. Rabada was efficient with the ball, taking 3/39, while Harmer's remarkable performance shone through, delivering career-best Test figures of 6/16 in an innings and match figures of 10/120. Harmer was recognized as the Player of the Match for his outstanding performance.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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