Starc swings between four consecutive boundaries and a four-wicket burst in Cape Town Test
Australia’s Mitchell Starc hit four fours in one over before later claiming four wickets in six balls, as South Africa’s early dominance turned into a tight contest at Newlands.
Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc experienced a dramatic shift in fortunes during the second Test at Newlands on Tuesday. In his seventh over, Starc conceded four boundaries off four successive deliveries, allowing South Africa to reach 125 for no loss after 25 overs. Later in the innings, the same bowler produced a decisive spell, taking four wickets in the span of six balls across his 16th and 17th overs with the second new ball.
South Africa’s openers, Marques Ackerman and Aiden Markram, built a solid platform, moving the score to 140 for no loss at lunch and 203 for one later in the day. Their aggressive batting, combined with steady singles, put pressure on the Australian bowlers.
When Starc returned with the second new ball, he dismissed Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen in quick succession, followed by the wicket of Gerald Coetzee, reducing South Africa’s lead. The spell shifted momentum back toward Australia, setting up a closely contested finish.
The day highlighted the volatility of the series, with both teams experiencing rapid changes in advantage as the match progressed at Newlands.