By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Photo Credit: CSA.
South Africa were on the canvas at the close of the third day, battered by Australia’s first innings lead and four costly wickets in their second.
The Newlands crowd streamed in to see whether the home side could beat the eight- count and get back to their feet.
They did more than that. By the time the fourth day ended, the Proteas were throwing punches of their own, with Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder producing hundreds to set Australia a target of 288 in a series decider that has swung dramatically from one side to the other.
It was a remarkable recovery. South Africa had resumed at 140 for four, leading by only 40, and were still in deep trouble when Matthew Breetzke fell for 43 in the morning.
Pat Cummins finally broke through after a long wait for a wicket, with Breetzke top edging a pull to fine leg. The dismissal left the Proteas effectively 81 for five in their second innings and gave Australia another opening.
But Rickelton and Mulder refused to let the game run away from them.
They put aside the loose stroke play that had undermined South Africa earlier in the match and set about rebuilding with patience. Rickelton was particularly assured against Nathan Lyon, who had already shown how dangerous he could be by removing Temba Bavuma on the third evening.
The off-spinner found sharp turn from the footmarks, but Rickelton was prepared to leave the wide deliveries, defend when required and punish anything loose.
Mulder offered the same application at the other end. The pair saw off the second new ball, denied Mitchell Starc the kind of swing that had devastated South Africa’s lower order on the first day and kept Australia wicketless for almost five hours.
Their sixth wicket partnership grew and the visitors began to look short of answers as the lead climbed, and they reverted to Travis Head and Labuschagne as the options to get wickets.
Rickelton reached his third Test century with a composed 101 from 218 balls. It was an innings built on concentration rather than spectacle, and exactly what South Africa needed after their collapse on the opening day.
Mulder was equally impressive, moving through the gears without losing the discipline that had kept the Australian attack at bay.
Then, just as South Africa appeared to have seized control, the concentration began to slip. In test cricket it only takes a millisecond of a lapse.
Rickelton had reached his hundred and Mulder his half century when the partnership ended in a costly run out.
Mulder attempted a reverse sweep, and a mix up allowed Marnus Labuschagne to complete the dismissal, leaving Rickelton stranded after an innings that had transformed the contest.
Mulder’s subsequent attempt to accelerate, including reverse sweeps that had not featured in his earlier approach, suggested South Africa were beginning to look towards the size of the target rather than the value of the partnership.
That wicket changed the game, and suddenly Australia smelt blood.
The lower order did little to ease the pressure. Marco Jansen fell for a duck, drawn into the short ball when a patient contribution could have pushed Australia further out of reach.
Simon Harmer was bowled after failing to get his gloves out of the way of the ball, which ricocheted on to his stumps.
Gerald Coetzee never looked comfortable, playing a false shot early before being run out as he tried to give Mulder more of the strike. Labuschagne’s direct hit was outstanding.
It seemed likely that Mulder would be stranded short of his century, but both he and Rabada, stayed in the fight. The twists continued late in the day as the pair put on a 36-run last-wicket partnership.
Mulder shepherded the tail, took responsibility for the scoring and reached 115 from 221 deliveries, his fourth Test century.
It seemed that the Proteas would bat out the day, giving them an option to declare overnight, or push on in the morning. That option was taken away from them when with a few balls to go Mulder struck a mistimed shot straight to Starc down at long on.
South Africa were all out, but they had reached 387 and established a lead of 287.
Australia now have a full day to chase the target.
It is a substantial assignment on a Newlands surface that is beginning to turn and show signs of uneven bounce. Lyon has already found purchase from the footmarks, while Simon Harmer will have the opportunity to exploit the same conditions in the fourth innings.
The Proteas will also look to Rabada and the seamers to make early inroads, particularly if the forecast cloud brings movement into play.
It will be the second highest successful chase at Newlands.
South Africa have given themselves considerably more to work with, but 288 is not beyond Australia, especially with Travis Head capable of changing the tempo in a session.
The match is finely poised, on a knife edge, and a packed Newlands is set for a final day worthy of the occasion.
After the days Play Rickelton stated that “If you had to say that it’s going down to the third test, day five, all three results on the cards, I wouldn’t have believed it, but yeah, it’s been a special series. It’s ebbed and flowed properly all three games.”
He continued “Both teams have edged ahead and other ones clawed back and there’s been some mistakes, some really good things done as well, but it’s been a cracking series and yeah, hopefully it comes down to a really good day for South African cricket tomorrow.”
Day four, was a day South Africa climbed off the canvas and landed some telling blows. Now they need Rabada, Jansen, Harmer and the rest of the attack to keep Australia from answering with a knockout of their own.
The judges’ scorecards may be even going into the final round of the series. It might only take one big blow. Will the World Champions show their DNA in front of their home crowd? Only time will tell.