Epic series between Proteas and Australia get the ending it deserves

Share current article via EmailShare current article via FacebookShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInStuart HessSports reporter

Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandWiaan Mulder is congratulated by Kagiso Rabada after scoring his century against Australia on Friday. Picture: BackpagePix And so to the fifth day.

To win — South Africa requires 10 wickets and Australia 288 runs.

These two teams have played a riveting Test series; this final match has already been one for the ages.

“It’s been a special series,” said Ryan Rickelton.

The Newlands groundsman, Braam Mong, so severely criticised in 2024 when South Africa and India played a Test that lasted less than two days, deserves every bit of praise for preparing a surface here that has allowed the skills of both sets of players to shine.

All results remain possible, though the draw is the least likely on Saturday.

There are obvious signs of wear and tear on the pitch and plenty of assistance for the spinners, especially out of the footmarks created by the quicks.

“With that new ball, there are runs available, but obviously wickets too,” said Rickelton, who batted for more than five hours on Friday, so he has a very good feel for conditions.

“It has been quite slow. If Australia fancy having a go at it, it might just factor into how they’re going to go about it.

“We didn’t see too many balls stay low, unfortunately, from our point of view. But yeah, I think it’ll be a grind [on Saturday], and for them to be able to effectively bat at three runs an over the whole day will be a big ask, especially on a slower, lower, deteriorating pitch.”

Harmer can't handle Lyon's spin 🦁💥Australia's bowlers are regaining control 🇦🇺⚡️📺 Stream #SAvAUS on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/WBPFjwGm7e

Crucially, said Rickelton, batting was a lot easier for him as a left-handed batter against off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Australia have four left-handers in their top seven, and Simon Harmer, upon whom so much of South Africa’s hopes will rest, will have his work cut out for him on Saturday.

“There wasn’t a lot of turn from the straight — yet. So when the offies were coming wide and throwing it into the rough, obviously to lure me into playing outside the off-stump, there was a high percentage chance for a dismissal or a knick or something like that.

“It’s a surprise that there isn’t more turn from the straight, in all honesty, considering the weather that we’ve had in Cape Town the past couple of days.

“Obviously for the right-handers, that ball’s viciously spinning back into them.”

He made special mention of the 10th wicket partnership between Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada, which was worth 36 runs and boosted the target to 288.

Rickelton was the first of four wickets to fall for the addition of 16 runs in 36 balls, and those final runs may be the difference on Saturday.

“That was really big,” he said of the 10th wicket stand. “I think we were in such a good position to drive home 300, 350, and obviously [the two run-outs] kind of dropped that for us.

“So that was a bit frustrating. But to be able to get effectively 290 and ask them to do it on a day five wicket is big. Psychologically, those last 20 or 30 runs they managed to compile take a lot out of you as well.

“Hopefully it will be enough to take us over the edge.”

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