Against all odds, South Africa script a Cape Town classic

There were dramatic scenes on Day 5 at Newlands, Cape Town, as South Africa made a sensational comeback in the third Test against Australia to script a remarkable 176-run victory. Not many expected the hosts to end up on the winning side after they squandered a massive advantage on Day 1 to be bundled out for 329.

A brilliant 158-run opening stand between Aiden Markram (78) and Marques Ackerman (95) had put South Africa in the driver’s seat after Australia captain Pat Cummins opted to bowl first, a decision which wasn’t received well by many.

The Temba Bavuma-led side was comfortably placed on 203/1 before a menacing spell from Mitchell Starc (6/72) skittled them for 329 on the first day itself. To make matters worse, the under-pressure Australian batting lineup posted a strong reply, scoring 429 in their first innings to take a 100-run lead.

When the Proteas finished Day 4 on 140/4 with just a 40-run lead, the writing was on the wall. As captain Temba Bavuma trudged back to the pavilion being cleaned up by Nathan Lyon, the atmosphere in the South African dressing room was grim.

The second innings fightback

However, if there’s anything the Gqeberha Test taught us, it’s that the Proteas don't go down without a fight. It took strong characters of Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder to give South Africa a sniff back into the game. 

The resilience was on show out in the middle on Day 4 as first Breetzke (43) stitched a crucial 50-run stand for the fifth wicket alongside Ryan Rickelton. However, Pat Cummins suddenly became the golden arm for his team, taking his first wicket after 372 deliveries to get rid of Breetzke.

It was just the beginning of South Africa’s strong fightback as the fire to seal the series still burned bright in their bellies. Wiaan Mulder (115) joined Rickelton (101) in the middle, and the duo was determined to make the famed Australian pace trio work hard for wickets. They forged the most crucial partnership of the match, getting involved in a massive 154-run stand to extend South Africa’s lead to 287.

A heroic batting display in the second innings invigorated the team like never before, as they came out hungry on Day 5 to seal the deal, revealed captain Temba Bavuma after the match.

"There were honest conversations that we had yesterday. I think a lot of them were about the character of the team and that coming out. So when the batters were able to do what they did, Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder, putting us in a competitive position like that, the bowlers had the confidence,” Bavuma said at the post-match presentation.

Rabada eats up Australia's top order

Then came Day 5 and South Africa unleashed the fiercest weapon in their armoury: a ferocious Kagiso Rabada. The speedster came running in his first spell with hunger in his eyes to eat away the Australian top order. 

The fate was sealed in the first over itself when Rabada got the in-form Matt Renshaw strangled down the leg side on just the third delivery of the day. In walked Marnus Labuschagne at number three, playing the make-or-break innings of his life.

Just three more deliveries into the day and Labuschagne was walking back towards the pavilion for possibly the last time in his career as Rabada brought one sharply back into the right-hander to trap him in front of the wicket.

Harmer's best day out

The hopes were completely dashed in the Australian dressing room when Rabada further got Travis Head caught at fourth slip. From there, it was pure carnage with the Australian batting lineup falling like nine pins.

If that wasn’t enough, Simon Harmer made matters worse for the visitors, picking up his career-best figures of 6/16 to skittle them for just 111 and hit the final nail in the coffin.

Australia lost their first six wickets within the first 18 overs before the last four partnerships helped them survive another 40. But it wasn’t enough against a Proteas side that knew how to come back after being down and out on Day 3.