- Mitchell Starc took six wickets on the opening day of the deciding Test as Australia bowled South Africa out for 329.
- Australia won the toss and elected to bowl but appeared to be in deep trouble after Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman put on an opening partnership of 158.
- However, Ackerman’s departure for 95 triggered a South Africa batting collapse as Nathan Lyon took two wickets to peg the hosts back to 232-6 after David Bedingham also hit a half-century.
- Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen came together to steady the ship, but when Rickelton fell for 42, Starc raced through the tail, taking the final four wickets as South Africa went from 327-6 to 329 all out.
- The Test is now delicately poised ahead of Australia’s first innings, with the series currently level at 1-1 and all to play for.
Mitchell Starc inspires Australia fightback in South Africa series decider
The Independent
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