Rickelton and Mulder centuries leave Australia facing historic Newlands chase

CAPE TOWN: South Africa produced a display of patience and discipline on the fourth day at Newlands, with Ryan Rickelton scoring 101 and Wiaan Mulder making 115, his fourth Test century. Their 154-run stand for the sixth wicket left Australia needing the second-highest successful run chase in 137 years of Test cricket at Newlands. Matthew Breetzke made 43. Australia took only one wicket in the first two sessions and then found a burst after tea, but the day still belonged to the home side and set up an intriguing contest on Saturday. South Africa resumed on the fourth morning at 140 for four. Breetzke was the only batter dismissed in the first two sessions, falling for 43 to a pull shot that was caught on the boundary, a familiar mode of dismissal for the home side in this Test. Rickelton and Mulder then took control. They avoided unnecessary risk, played the ball on merit and forced Australia to keep changing their plans. There was considerable turn for spinner Nathan Lyon, who finished with two wickets for 101 runs, and variable bounce for the seamers. In such conditions, batting was not easy, but Rickelton and Mulder showed restraint. They ensured the score kept moving and made Australia work hard for every wicket. Rickelton told reporters: “It was about trying to win the small moments. We knew we were effectively 40 for four this morning and that Australia would come hard at us.” He added: “It was about spending time at the crease rather than worrying about scoring runs or getting too far ahead of ourselves. We had our plans and needed to stick to them.” He also said: “We knew the longer we batted, the more frustrated Australia would become. Perhaps they expected things to happen quite quickly because of the deteriorating wicket.” That assessment captures the essence of South Africa’s approach. Instead of trying to score quickly, the home side focused on occupying the crease and wearing down the Australian attack. Mulder top-scored with 115. He was the last man out, caught on the boundary while trying to increase the tempo. His innings, along with Rickelton’s century, gave South Africa a strong platform and left Australia with a difficult fourth-innings challenge. Australia toiled through the day. Lyon found turn but had to concede 101 runs. The seamers got variable bounce but could not maintain sustained pressure. South Africa’s batters, especially Rickelton and Mulder, made them bowl long spells and kept the scoreboard moving. Australia will need to score at more than three runs an over against a South African bowling attack that has had its feet up for more than a day-and-a-half. The target is the second-highest successful chase in Newlands Test history, a statistic that underlines the size of the task. The series is level at 1-1. Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, and South Africa responded with victory by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha. The winner of this match will occupy the number one spot in the Test world rankings, which is currently held by Australia. South Africa’s bowlers will be fresh, and the pitch is expected to offer more turn and uneven bounce. Australia will need a solid start and big partnerships. If South Africa strike early, the pressure will grow. If Australia bat through the first session without losing wickets, the contest could tighten. Saturday’s first session will be crucial. For now, South Africa have the advantage. Rickelton and Mulder did the hard work, and Australia must produce something special to complete a historic chase at Newlands.