Simon Harmer’s 6-16 powers South Africa to series victory over Australia

Simon Harmer claimed a career-best 6-16 as South Africa bowled out Australia for 111 to win the third Test by 176 runs in Cape Town. The victory sealed a 2-1 series triumph and lifted South Africa atop ICC rankings

Cape Town: Simon Harmer claimed a career-best 6-16 as South Africa bowled out Australia for 111 to win the third Test by 176 runs and clinch the three-match series 2-1 on Saturday.

Australia crumbled in Cape Town after being set a target of 288 on Day 5 of the deciding match of the series.

The Proteas rallied from 1-0 down in the first Test series between the teams in South Africa since the “Sandpapergate” scandal in 2018.

Harmer, a 37-year-old off-spinner, finished with match figures of 10-120, his first 10-wicket haul in Tests, after South Africa scored 329 and 387 in its two innings, while Australia made 429 in its first innings to take a 100-run lead at Newlands.

Kagiso Rabada took 3-39 on Saturday to reach 350 career Test wickets.

Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton had scored centuries on Day 4 to set up a target of 288, but Australia collapsed to 60-7 by lunch on the morning of Day 5.

Australia had won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, while South Africa won the second Test in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs.

With the victory, South Africa dethroned Australia to claim the top spot in the ICC Test team rankings.