Cape Town Test Heads for Final-Day Thriller: Australia Need 288, South Africa Need 10 Wickets
The series-deciding Cape Town Test is set for a final-day finish. South Africa, who trailed after the first innings, have fought back into the match with superb batting.
Centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder carried the hosts to 387 all out in their second innings. Australia therefore need 288 runs on the final day to win, while South Africa need 10 wickets.
South Africa resumed on the fourth morning at 140 for 4, leading Australia by only 40 runs at that stage.
Pat Cummins struck early in the day, removing Matthew Breetzke for 43. Rickelton and Mulder then took charge, and their 154-run sixth-wicket partnership put South Africa in a strong position.
Rickelton was run out for 101 from 218 balls, an innings that included 12 fours.
Mulder batted on at the other end and completed the fourth century of his Test career from 204 balls. He was finally dismissed for 115 from 207 balls, with 4 sixes and 9 fours.
South Africa lost quick wickets late in the innings. Under pressure from Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, they lost two wickets between 343 and 344, and Gerald Coetzee was later run out.
The hosts were eventually bowled out for 387 in 134.3 overs. Mitchell Starc took the most wickets for Australia with three, while Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon took two each.
