South Africa ended day four of the third Test against Australia with a lead of 287 runs, setting up a thrilling finale to the match and the series. The Proteas, led by magnificent centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder, made the Australian bowlers toil to score 387 all out with just three balls remaining. The pair shared a 154-run sixth wicket stand, pulling South Africa into contention for an unlikely rearguard win.
The day began with South Africa on 140 for four, but Rickelton and Mulder blunted the Australian attack, surviving a short-ball barrage and eventually forcing Australia's skipper Pat Cummins to use all his part-time spinners. Rickelton's five-hour vigil ended with 101, his third Test century, while Mulder scored 115. The partnership was crucial in putting South Africa in a position to challenge Australia for a win.
The pitch at Newlands remains good for batting, but bowlers' footmarks have created large rough patches for spinners to gain turn. Australia will need to work hard to achieve their target of 288 to win the Test and the series, which is currently locked at 1-1. If they succeed, it will be the second-highest run chase in Newlands' history, after Ricky Ponting's Australia chased down 331 in 2002.
Rickelton's innings was chanceless, including a 50-run fifth wicket partnership with Matthew Breetzke, who scored 43. Breetzke was caught on the deep square leg boundary by Mitchell Starc off the bowling of Cummins. Mulder and Rickelton were at school together at St Stithians College and came up through the Lions' ranks, making their partnership a special one.
The pair's approach to batting was key to their success, with Rickelton saying he focused on playing the short ball and being willing to take a couple on the body. This approach drained the Australian bowlers and allowed Mulder and Rickelton to knuckle down. Australia's primary spinner Nathan Lyon put in long shifts, but Cummins eventually turned to part-time spinners to try and upset the batters' rhythm.
As Rickelton approached his century, Cummins tried to dry up the scoring by packing seven fielders on the off side and bowling wide of off stump. However, this only slowed the pace of scoring and did not stop Rickelton from making his third Test century. Mulder continued to bat strongly, eventually reaching his century with a push into deep extra cover.
The final wicket fell quickly, but a 36-run 10th wicket stand between Mulder and Kagiso Rabada ensured Mulder reached his milestone. With Australia needing 288 to win, the stage is set for a thrilling finale to the third Test and the series. The tourists will need to achieve a high run chase to win, making for an exciting conclusion to the match.
Key points
- South Africa takes a 287-run lead into the final day of the third Test against Australia.
- Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder scored centuries for South Africa.
- Australia needs 288 runs to win the Test and the series.
