Australia collapsed to 111 all out on the fifth day in Cape Town, surrendering the match, the series, and the world No 1 Test ranking to South Africa after losing seven wickets before lunch, The Guardian reported.
Australia Collapses Inside a Session
Chasing 288 for victory on a sporting surface, Australia suffered an immediate top-order collapse. Kagiso Rabada and Simon Harmer tore through the lineup, removing two batters in the first over, four in the first hour, and seven by the lunch break. The performance followed a similarly dismal 99 all out in Gqeberha, sealing consecutive batting failures.
Nathan Lyon top-scored for Australia with 33 not out, echoing his team-best score on the same ground during a 2011 humiliation. Cameron Green contributed 27 from 110 balls before charging down the pitch to Harmer and missing completely. Extras provided the innings’ third-highest total with 16.
Rabada Reaches 350 Test Wickets
Kagiso Rabada claimed 3 for 39 to reach 350 career Test wickets, achieving the milestone faster than any bowler in history by nearly a thousand deliveries. His strike rate of 39.6 balls per wicket places him well ahead of historical benchmarks, while South Africa secured their status as reigning world champions.
Simon Harmer continued his sensational run since returning to Test cricket, claiming his third six-wicket haul in a year as South Africa inflicted a crushing defeat on Australia 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/2dsPOoFeD3
Captain Temba Bavuma rotated his bowling attack effectively, eventually switching Harmer to the far end where he dismissed Green first ball. Rabada and Harmer combined to restrict the lower order, ending the resistance when Hazlewood fell to a delivery that drifted in and bowled the left-hander.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cape Town Test
What was Australia’s final target in Cape Town?
Australia needed 288 runs to win on the fifth day after South Africa set the target in their second innings.
Who took the final wickets for South Africa?
Simon Harmer and Kagiso Rabada dismantled the lower order, with Harmer trapping Pat Cummins leg before wicket and bowling Josh Hazlewood.
How many wickets did Kagiso Rabada finish with in the innings?
Kagiso Rabada claimed 3 wickets for 39 runs, bringing his career total to 350 Test wickets.
South Africa win by 176 runs, with Harmer taking 6 for 16 – hell of a comeback after Australia reached stumps on day two at 300 for 4. That’s a 2-1 win for the world Test champions. Great series!
Harmer's ten-wicket haul powers South Africa to Test series win over Australia#ASportsHD #Harmer #SAvAUS #SouthAfrica #Australia https://t.co/TBBC8MCqHp