A remarkable series reaches its climax as the third Test between South Africa and Australia stretches into a rare fifth day. This match marks only the second time this century that a series in South Africa has seen three consecutive Tests reach a fifth day, and for the first time in nearly 32 years, none of the matches have resulted in a draw. The deciding clash has proven to be an exceptional advertisement for Test cricket, leaving the outcome balanced on a knife-edge heading into Saturday. Something remarkable this way comes. Which has produced, organically, better marketing than the creaking old format could hope to buy in a world drowning in T20, is likely to buck both aspects of that trend on Saturday, the deciding match of South Africa’s enthralling rubber against Australia. And stayed that way, once the string was snapped it was limp.
Australia requires 288 runs to win, while South Africa needs 10 wickets. Anyway, often enough to care about the stuff.
With at least 90 overs remaining, the scenario promises a captivating conclusion. Ninety overs, at the minimum, are left in this rivetting contest. We know what happens next in that scenario.
Ryan Rickelton reflected on the intensity of the series during a press conference, noting his surprise that the game remained so competitive, stating, “If you had to say that it’s going down to the third Test, day five, two results on the cards, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s been a special series that has ebbed and flowed with both teams clawing back from mistakes.” Both teams have edged ahead and the other one have clawed back.
South Africa’s position was bolstered significantly by a 154-run partnership between Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder. The duo, long-time teammates from their school days at St Stithians College through to their time with the Lions, built on the overnight lead after the team lost early wickets. Their collaboration ended in an unfortunate mix-up that resulted in Rickelton being run out. The batter jokingly admitted his frustration, saying, “It was really good until he ran me out, then I was quite pissed off.” There have been some mistakes made and some really good things done. It feels like an age since we reached stumps on Thursday with South Africa 40 ahead but denuded of their top four. Adding 154, they batted together from the ninth over before lunch to an hour after tea. The pair have shared many a dressing room as former St Stithians College pupils and current Lions teammates. We know each other’s games really well and we know the type of players we are.”. But not without adding to his personal Cape Town lore, so Rickelton was sacrificed. When they were 225 ahead, Rickelton got out, south Africa had looked like making Australia chase significantly more than 300 before. Rickelton and Mulder had kept the tension taut. But all he had to help him get there were the modest batting skills of Kagiso Rabada.
Rickelton’s contribution of 101 runs came from 219 deliveries, showcasing a disciplined approach over five hours. He resisted several aggressive bouncers from Pat Cummins during his time in the 90s, opting for soft-handed defensive shots. His affinity for the Newlands pitch remains evident, having now scored four centuries at the venue in his first-class career. Several of them tempting slower bouncers bowled by Pat Cummins with a deepish short leg in place, rickelton was in the 90s for 37 balls.
Following Rickelton’s departure, South Africa’s momentum dipped as they lost Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, and Gerald Coetzee quickly, adding only 16 runs in 36 balls. The pressure remained intense for Mulder, who had to shepherd the tail to reach his own milestone. After several runs were turned down to maintain the innings, he eventually drove Nathan Lyon for two runs to reach his century, celebrating with a heartfelt gesture toward the crowd in memory of his father, Pieter, who passed away in April. Particularly for someone who had gone 13 completed innings without a century, it was a strikingly disciplined performance. By both batters, in the cause of keeping the innings alive, several runs were refused.
Mulder, who previously struggled against short-pitched bowling in the series, demonstrated improved technique by ducking under bouncers. Rickelton praised his teammate’s evolution, noting that Mulder can occasionally drift away from his game but remained focused during this partnership. Once his hundred was secured, Mulder accelerated the scoring, pulling Cummins and sweeping Lyon for sixes before falling for 115 on the final ball of the day. Pulling defensively with soft hands to send the ball safely to earth, he demurred each time.
South Africa’s total of 387 has left Australia with a daunting target. While the highest successful chase at Newlands remains Australia’s 334/6 in March 2002, the hosts successfully defended a similar challenge in November 2011. As the series refuses to conclude quietly, both teams remain deeply invested in the final day of what has been a highly competitive tour. What was it about Newlands that seemed to bring the best out in this Joburg boykie.
