Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder dragged South Africa back from the brink with magnificent centuries on Friday, transforming a precarious position into a tantalising opportunity as the Proteas set Australia a tricky 288-run chase on the final day of the series-deciding third Test at Newlands.
Also read: Australia choke Proteas in Newlands series decider
The former St Stithians College teammates combined brilliantly to swing momentum in a contest that’s lurched from one side to the other since the opening session, setting up a winner-takes-all finale on Saturday.
Rickelton compiled a gritty 101 whilst Mulder crafted an assured 115 before South Africa were dismissed for 387 in the final over of day four. Australia face a genuine examination on a wearing surface that’s offering turn for the spinners whilst remaining relatively benign for the quicks, precisely the sort of ambiguity that makes fourth-innings chases fraught with danger.
The series between the world’s two leading Test nations sits locked at 1-1, with Saturday’s denouement set to determine bragging rights and crucial World Test Championship points.
Schoolmates rescue Proteas
The St Stithians connection proved pivotal. Rickelton and Mulder, who attended the elite Johannesburg college together, drew on years of familiarity to construct a match-turning sixth-wicket partnership of 154.
“It was really special,” Rickelton admitted. “We have played a lot of cricket coming through the teenage years together and we know each other’s games really well.”
That familiarity bred composure when South Africa needed it most. The Proteas resumed on 140 for four, but with a 100-run first-innings deficit, the scorecard effectively read a perilous 40/4. One or two quick wickets and Australia would have fancied chasing down a modest target with time to spare.
Matthew Breetzke (43) helped Rickelton absorb the early pressure before Mulder joined him to forge a partnership built on patience, accumulation and intelligent strike rotation.
“It was about spending time at the wicket and not getting too far ahead of ourselves,” Rickelton explained. “We knew that the longer we batted the more frustrated the Australians would get.”
The tactic worked. Australia toiled through five hours during which only one wicket fell, with Rickelton and Mulder occupying the crease for vast swathes of the day to grind down the tourists’ attack.
Collapse threatens to derail momentum
Just when South Africa appeared to be forging an impregnable position, Rickelton was run out shortly before the afternoon drinks break, a sloppy dismissal that triggered alarm bells. His departure sparked a collapse in which four wickets tumbled for just 16 runs, the sort of implosion that has characterised a series featuring more twists than a Highveld highway.
But Kagiso Rabada, another St Stithians old boy, stayed with Mulder long enough for the all-rounder to reach his century during a crucial last-wicket stand of 36. Those runs could prove decisive.
“It was a really important partnership,” Rickelton stressed. “Those last 20 or 30 runs will hopefully take us over the edge tomorrow.”
Mulder’s ton was his second in Test cricket. His ability to bat time whilst also punishing loose deliveries gave South Africa the cushion they desperately needed heading into the final day.
Fourth-innings thriller awaits
Australian bowling coach James Franklin acknowledged the pitch hasn’t deteriorated markedly for the quicks, though spinners are extracting turn.
“It’s set up for a great last day of the series,” Franklin said, the understatement of the week.
Australia need 288 runs with all 10 wickets intact. On paper it’s gettable, but fourth-innings chases at Newlands carry psychological baggage, especially in series deciders.
South Africa will fancy their chances with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and the wily Lyon-hunting spinners to deploy. But they’ll need early breakthroughs to prevent Australia’s top order settling in.
Rickelton believes South Africa will push hard for victory rather than settling for containment.
“For them to bat out three sessions will be a big ask but we will also have our work cut out,” he admitted.
The St Stithians old boys have set the stage. Now South Africa need to finish the job.
