SA vs AUS: Twin centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder powered South Africa into a dominant position on Day 4 of the 3rd Test in Cape Town. Resuming their second innings at an unstable 140 for 4—holding a meager 40-run lead—the Proteas defied Australia’s bowling attack to post 387, setting the visitors a daunting fourth-innings target of 288 runs.
The morning began cautiously as Matthew Breetzke contributed a sturdy 43 before falling to Pat Cummins. His dismissal brought Mulder out to join Rickelton, initiating a magnificent 154-run sixth-wicket partnership that completely shifted the match’s momentum. Both batsmen showed exceptional application on a wearing Newlands surface. Rickelton anchored the innings with a composed 101, mixed with 12 elegant boundaries, before a sharp piece of fielding resulted in his run-out.
Mulder then accelerated, frustrating the Australian contingent with a magnificent 115 off 221 balls, laced with 10 fours and 4 towering sixes. Australia’s bowling spearheaded by Mitchell Starc (3-65) and skipper Pat Cummins (2-71) triggered a late-afternoon collapse, claiming the final four wickets for just 17 runs. Mulder was the final man to fall, caught in the deep off Cummins, which subsequently brought an end to the day’s play.
With the three-match series deadlocked at 1-1, the final day promises a grandstand finish. Australia requires their second-highest successful fourth-innings chase ever at this venue to seal the trophy, while South Africa enters Day 5 hunting 10 wickets for a famous series victory.
Brief Scores: South Africa 281 & 387 (Mulder 115, Rickelton 101; Starc 3-65) lead AUS 381 (Head 92; Rabada 4-78) by 287 runs.
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