Aussies tame Proteas after blistering start, bowling them out for 329

Australia will be the happier of the two sides after day one of the third and final Test match against South Africa at Newlands in Cape Town. The Proteas made a blistering start to their first innings after losing the toss and being asked to bat.

But the hosts failed to take the initiative and slumped from 203 for one, to 232 for six early in the final session. South Africa was eventually bundled out for 329.

South Africa’s opening batsmen Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman looked to take the game to Australia’s bowlers after being gifted the chance to bat first at Newlands. They were composed and aggressive, punishing the Aussie bowlers, who struggled to find a rhythm.

Playing some brave cricket, Ackerman notched up his maiden Test half-century from just 62 deliveries.

Their capitulation continued after the break as the South Africans failed to capitalise on their good start. Bedingham scored a fifth Test 50, before he holed out to Josh Hazlewood who took a great catch at fine leg.

Lyon struck again in the next over, bowling South African captain Temba Bavuma out for a duck, leaving the South Africans shaken on 204 for three.

Matthew Breetzke also departed cheaply for two a little later.

It was Starc who wrapped up South Africa’s innings with the new ball, late in the final session. He trapped Rickleton leg before for 42 and two deliveries later he bowled Jansen out for 52.

He followed that up with the scalps of Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada, both without scoring, finishing with figures of six for 72, his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as the hosts were bowled out for 329 and stumps was taken.