Mitchell Starc took six wickets to bowl South Africa out for 329 on the opening day of the third Test at Newlands, leaving the series decider unresolved as Australia waited to bat.
South Africa’s first-wicket stand reached 158 before the hosts were dismissed. Marques Ackerman scored 95 and Aiden Markram made 78. Cricket Australia’s match report said Starc accounted for South Africa’s final six batters; his 6-72 included four wickets in a six-ball sequence.
At stumps, Australia had not begun its reply, according to Cricket Australia’s match centre. Australia captain Pat Cummins elected to field after winning the toss. Steve Smith was unavailable after failing a fitness test because of a neck problem, Cricket Australia reported.
The teams entered the decider level at 1-1. Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, while South Africa took the second in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs. Play was scheduled to continue Oct. 28, with the Test set to run through Oct. 31 at Newlands.
