Rabada, Harmer bowl Australia out as South Africa seal 2-1 series win
SIMON Harmer finished Australia off with a spell of six for 16 as South Africa won the third Test at Newlands by 176 runs on Saturday, taking the series 2-1.
Australia began the final day needing 288 for victory, but Kagiso Rabada wrecked their chase before Harmer took charge. Rabada struck twice in the opening over, then removed Travis Head to leave the visitors 22 for three and claim his 350th Test wicket.
Harmer made sure there was no way back. He took 6/16 in 21.1 overs, sending down 14 maidens as Australia were dismissed for 111 in 57.1 overs. It was his first ten-wicket haul in a Test match and earned him the Player of the Match award. Marco Jansen was named Player of the Series.
South Africa had been in serious trouble earlier in the match. Australia built a 100-run first-innings lead, then reduced the hosts to 131 for four in their second innings. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder responded with a partnership that turned the contest.
After winning the toss and choosing to field, Australia had restricted South Africa to 329. Marques Ackerman top-scored with 95, while Aiden Markram made 78 and David Bedingham 50. Mitchell Starc led the Australian attack with 6/72.
Australia replied with 429, putting themselves 100 runs ahead. Josh Inglis scored 102, Alex Carey made 80, Matt Renshaw added 74 and Cameron Green contributed 65. Harmer took four wickets for 104, while Jansen claimed three, including his 100th Test wicket when he dismissed Renshaw.
South Africa’s second innings threatened to unravel when Markram fell for one and Bedingham made 11. Ackerman, who had been so close to a century in the first innings, added 62 before falling, while captain Temba Bavuma scored 35. At 131 for four, South Africa were still behind.
Matthew Breetzke made 43, but the decisive stand came from Rickelton and Mulder. They added 154 for the sixth wicket, taking the match away from Australia and giving their bowlers a target to defend.
Rickelton faced 219 balls for his 101, while Mulder occupied the crease for 221 deliveries to make 115. Rickelton was run out after a mix-up, but Mulder carried on until Pat Cummins had him caught by Starc at long-on.
South Africa were eventually all out for 387 in 134.4 overs, leaving Australia 288 to win.
Rabada struck immediately. Renshaw edged to wicketkeeper Rickelton in the first over, and Marnus Labuschagne was trapped lbw three balls later. Head then edged to Jansen at gully, giving Rabada his 350th Test wicket.
He reached the mark in 13,808 balls, the fewest ever taken by a bowler to reach 350 Test wickets.
Australia lost Inglis to a run out for four before Harmer and Jansen worked through the middle order. Harmer removed Carey and Cooper Connolly in quick succession, then bowled Green for 27 when the batter failed to reach a delivery that turned through the gate.
Cummins resisted for 90 balls but managed only 11 before Harmer trapped him lbw. The spinner completed his haul by bowling Josh Hazlewood, leaving Australia all out for 111. Nathan Lyon was unbeaten on 33.
The 176-run win gave South Africa the series 2-1 and earned them 12 ICC World Test Championship points. Australia collected none from the match.
Harmer’s final-day spell settled the result, but South Africa’s recovery began with Rickelton and Mulder, who kept Australia in the field long enough to give their bowlers a chance. After trailing by 100 runs and losing four wickets cheaply in the second innings, the hosts had found a way to put the match back in their hands.
