Starc’s late burst lifts Australia after Cummins’s bold call in Cape Town

Australia recovered from a poor start to dismiss South Africa for 329 on the first day of the decisive third Test in Cape Town, after Pat Cummins chose to bowl under clear skies.

South Africa had reached 203-1 before Australia took five wickets for 29 runs. Mitchell Starc then struck four times late in the innings, removing Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen before bowling Gerald Coetzee and trapping Kagiso Rabada lbw. Starc finished with 6-72.

Marques Ackerman made 95, Aiden Markram scored 78 and David Bedingham added 50. South Africa’s collapse followed several batters’ attempts to attack Australia’s short-pitched bowling, while Nathan Lyon dismissed Ackerman and captain Temba Bavuma, who fell to off-spin for the third time in as many innings.

Cummins said he saw moisture in the pitch when explaining his decision at the toss. Australia’s spinners were brought on early, but the bowlers eventually hauled the side back after South Africa scored 140 runs in the opening session.

The fightback eased the immediate pressure on Cummins, but did not settle the debate over the toss: Australia still have to bat, and the first day’s result cannot establish whether bowling first was the right call. The series decider runs from 27 to 31 October; the winner will finish the series ranked above the other side.