Starc's Devastating Spell Triggers South Africa Collapse as Australia Fight Back on Day One of Deciding Test

Newlands, Cape Town. On the opening day of the deciding third Test between South Africa and Australia, Mitchell Starc produced a devastating spell of 6/72 to trigger a dramatic collapse and help Australia stage a remarkable comeback. South Africa, who had looked firmly in control at 203/1, were bowled out for 329. Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman gave the hosts a strong start with a 140-run opening stand. Ackerman made 95 off 94 balls, while Markram scored 78. At one stage, South Africa seemed set for a commanding first-innings total. However, Starc changed the course of the day by removing David Bedingham for 50 and Wiaan Mulder for a duck in quick succession. South Africa recovered through a 95-run seventh-wicket partnership between Marco Jansen and Ryan Rickelton. But Starc returned with the second new ball to dismantle the tail. He dismissed Rickelton for 42, bowled Jansen for 52, and then claimed Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada for consecutive golden ducks. South Africa lost four wickets in six balls and collapsed from 203/1 to 329 all out. Starc's 6/72 was his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. It also took his tally of five-wicket hauls in international cricket to 29, placing him alongside Dale Steyn among the most prolific fast bowlers. Starc now has 20 five-wicket hauls in Tests and nine in ODIs. He has moved to the top of the list of active fast bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket, ahead of Kagiso Rabada, who has 17, and Jasprit Bumrah, who has 16. In the all-time list of fast bowlers with the most five-wicket hauls in international cricket, Starc sits sixth, behind Richard Hadlee (41), Glenn McGrath (36), Waqar Younis (35), James Anderson (34) and Wasim Akram (31). His figures of 6/72 were also his best against South Africa in Test cricket, improving on his previous best of 6/154 in Perth in 2026. The series remains level at 1-1, with the third Test set to determine the winner. Australia will now look to build a strong first-innings response, while South Africa will aim to strike early with the ball. The opening day belonged to Starc, whose experience, pace and left-arm angle proved decisive.