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Harmer takes six as South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs to win Test series
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South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs in the third Test at Newlands on Saturday to win the series 2–1 and replace the tourists at the top of the ICC men’s Test team rankings.
Simon Harmer took a career-best six for 16 as Australia were bowled out for 111 in pursuit of 288 on the final day in Cape Town. The off-spinner finished with match figures of 10 for 120, completing a turnaround after South Africa had lost the opening Test.
Kagiso Rabada set the collapse in motion by removing Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne in the first over. He then dismissed Travis Head for 14 to claim his 350th Test wicket, reaching that milestone in fewer deliveries than any previous bowler.
Australia’s position worsened when first-innings centurion Josh Inglis was run out for four. Harmer removed Alex Carey and Cooper Connolly in the same over, then added Mitchell Starc before lunch as the visitors slipped to 60 for seven.
Cameron Green resisted for 110 balls before Harmer bowled him for 27. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon prolonged the innings, but the captain eventually fell lbw for 11 after facing 90 deliveries. Harmer then bowled Josh Hazlewood to finish the match, leaving Lyon unbeaten on 33.
South Africa had made 329 and 387, while Australia’s first-innings 429 had given them a 100-run lead. Ryan Rickelton’s 101 and Wiaan Mulder’s 115 changed the direction of the contest, with their sixth-wicket partnership worth 154 as the hosts built the fourth-innings target.
The series had begun with Australia winning by 214 runs in Durban. South Africa responded with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha before taking the Cape Town decider.
The ICC confirmed that South Africa now have a Test team rating of 124, ahead of Australia on 122. The reigning World Test Championship winners therefore finish the series with both the trophy and the leading position in the team rankings.
Sources
- Cricket Australia: South Africa win the series and claim No.1 Test ranking
- ICC: South Africa replace Australia at the Test team rankings summit
- The Guardian: Australia collapse as Harmer spins South Africa to series win
- Sky Sports: South Africa win Newlands decider and the series
- Sky Sports: South Africa v Australia third Test scorecard
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