Starc claims four wickets in six balls to secure draw for Australia against South Africa
Mitchell Starc took four wickets in six deliveries in the final session of the Test, helping Australia level the match after South Africa posted 329 runs.
Australia recovered from a difficult position on day four of the Test against South Africa after fast bowler Mitchell Starc dismissed four batsmen in six balls. South Africa, having reached 329 for nine, were bowled out shortly after Starc entered the attack with a new ball.
Starc, who had bowled 12 overs for 62 runs at the start of the session, finished with figures of six wickets for 72 runs, marking his 20th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. His wickets included Ryan Rickelton (lbw), all-rounder Marco Jansen (bowled), bowler Gerald Coetzee (bowled) and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada (lbw).
The wickets came as South Africa were well placed at 6-325, with Rickelton and Jansen having added a 95-run partnership. Starc’s deliveries, described as fast and swinging, broke the partnership and triggered a rapid collapse.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins had elected to bowl first after winning the toss, a decision that placed the hosts under pressure early in the innings. The match concluded with the teams sharing the points, as the final result was a draw.
The performance was noted as one of Starc’s best in recent years, adding to his record of strong finishes in the last two seasons.