Rabada becomes fastest to 350 Test wickets as Australia slump to 60 for 7 at Newlands

Kagiso Rabada became the fastest bowler to 350 Test wickets by balls bowled as Australia sank to 60 for 7 by lunch on the final day at Newlands, chasing 288 to decide the series

The South Africa seamer reached the landmark in 13,808 deliveries, taking the record from Dale Steyn, who had needed 14,719. It arrived when Travis Head edged to Marco Jansen at gully for 14, the third wicket of a morning that put the third Test, and the series, within South Africa's reach.

Australia began the final day needing 288 with all ten wickets standing. By the interval they were 60 for 7 from 26 overs, still 228 short, with Cameron Green unbeaten on 25 and the tail for company.

The series is level at 1-1. Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, South Africa levelled it in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs, and three more wickets in Cape Town would settle it.

Rabada strikes twice in the first over

Rabada removed Matt Renshaw with the opening burst of the day, the opener edging behind to Ryan Rickelton without scoring. Marnus Labuschagne followed for 4, given lbw and unsuccessful on review, which left Australia 5 for 2 inside two overs.

Head resisted for 26 balls before driving at a fuller ball outside off stump and finding Jansen at gully, the catch that took Rabada to 350 and Australia to 22 for 3.

Josh Inglis went next, run out for 4 when Marques Ackerman's throw found Rickelton with the total on 40.

Harmer takes the middle order for five

Simon Harmer claimed the next three wickets for almost nothing, the off-spinner reaching the interval with 3-5. Alex Carey edged to Jansen for 2 and Cooper Connolly was caught by Rickelton without scoring, both falling with the score on 42.

Mitchell Starc then survived 25 balls without scoring before Harmer held a return catch to end the seventh-wicket stand, the innings having reached 60.

Green was left with the lower order. "It's un-Australian. There is no fight whatsoever, it's disgraceful," the former Australia opener David Warner said of the batting on Fox Cricket.

A record set by weight of overs

Rabada's 350 wickets have come in 75 Tests, and the record he took is the one measured in deliveries rather than matches. Steyn needed 14,719 balls and 69 Tests, so the South African remains the quicker of the two by games played.

The milestone was his third wicket of the morning, and it came with seven more needed for South Africa to win the match and the series.

How South Africa built the target

South Africa were bowled out for 329 in the first innings, Ackerman making 95 and Mitchell Starc taking 6-72.

Australia replied with 429, Josh Inglis scoring 102 and Harmer returning 4-104, a first-innings lead of 100.

South Africa then batted on into the fourth day for 387, Wiaan Mulder making 115 and Rickelton 101, with Starc adding 3-65. That left Australia 288 to win.

A pitch that had slowed

Rickelton, whose century anchored the second innings, described a surface that had grown harder to score on as the match wore on. "It definitely felt quite slow, and when the ball was soft it was difficult to beat the infield," he told reporters.

Australia's morning ran against that reading. Only Head and the unbeaten Green reached double figures, and six of the seven batters dismissed made 4 or fewer.

Scorecard: South Africa 329 and 387; Australia 429 and 60 for 7 (26 overs), chasing 288, at lunch on day five.

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