CAPE TOWN : Simon Harmer claimed career-best figures of 6-16 as South Africa thrashed Australia by 176 runs in the deciding third Test at Newlands on Saturday, securing a 2-1 series victory and climbing to the top of the world Test rankings.
Chasing 288 for victory on a turning pitch, Australia collapsed to 111 all out as Harmer and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada combined to dismantle the tourists’ batting lineup.
Rabada finished with 3-39 and reached a major career milestone, becoming the fastest bowler in Test cricket history to claim 350 wickets in terms of deliveries bowled.
The South African paceman achieved the landmark in 13,808 balls, surpassing compatriot Dale Steyn’s record of 14,719 deliveries and Pakistan great Waqar Younis’s mark of 14,905.
Harmer proved equally devastating on a deteriorating surface, exploiting the turn to claim six wickets and extinguish Australia’s hopes of a successful chase.
Among his victims was Australia captain Pat Cummins, whose stubborn innings of 11 runs from 90 deliveries briefly delayed the inevitable.
The emphatic victory lifted South Africa above Australia to the top of the Test rankings for the first time since January 2016.
Australia had won the opening Test in Durban before South Africa bounced back in Gqeberha to level the series, setting up Saturday’s decisive triumph in Cape Town.
