Marco Jansen Hits 100 Test Wickets Milestone Against Australia
South Africa's Marco Jansen becomes the 18th Proteas bowler to reach 100 Test wickets during the third Test against Australia in Cape Town.
South African all-rounder Marco Jansen has etched his name into the history books, completing 100 Test wickets during the third Test match against Australia in Cape Town. The left-arm pacer reached this prestigious landmark on Wednesday, becoming only the 18th bowler from South Africa to achieve the feat.
The Moment of Triumph
Entering the match with 99 wickets to his name, Jansen needed just one more to hit the century mark. He secured the milestone in the 50th over of Australia's first innings by dismissing Matt Renshaw. Not stopping there, Jansen maintained his momentum and struck again in the very next over, removing Cameron Green to claim his second wicket of the game.
A Record-Breaking Pace
Playing in his 24th Test, the 26-year-old has proven to be one of the fastest to reach this milestone in South African history. In terms of matches played, Jansen is now the joint-fourth fastest South African to reach 100 wickets, sharing the spot with Peter Pollock.
The record for the fewest matches remains with Vernon Philander (19 Tests), followed by Dale Steyn (20 Tests), and Hugh Tayfield, Allan Donald, and Kagiso Rabada, who all reached the mark in 22 Tests.
Efficiency in Deliveries
Jansen's impact is even more evident when looking at the number of deliveries bowled. With 3,864 balls, he has become the third-fastest bowler in the post-war era to claim 100 Test wickets. He trails only his compatriots Dale Steyn (3,631 deliveries) and Vernon Philander (3,792 balls).
Dominating the Australia Series
This milestone is the crowning achievement of a stellar series for the all-rounder. Jansen has been a dual threat with both bat and ball throughout the contest against Australia:
- Bowling Prowess: He picked up 10 wickets in the first two Tests, including a devastating spell of 5 for 33 in the second Test that helped bowl Australia out for just 99 in their first innings.
- Batting Contribution: He showcased his value as a lower-order powerhouse by scoring 85 runs from the No. 8 position.
Climbing to the Top of the World
The consistency of his performances has been rewarded by the ICC. Jansen has surged to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test bowlers' rankings with 876 rating points. Additionally, he has claimed the top position among Test all-rounders, ending a long period of dominance by the previous leader.
Current Match Status
In the ongoing third Test, South Africa posted a first-innings total of 329. By tea on Day 2, Australia had reached 191/4, trailing by 138 runs, with Jansen having already claimed two crucial wickets to keep the pressure on the visitors.