Australia take late wickets as South Africa finish on 387
Centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder left Australia facing a demanding chase in the deciding Test at Cape Town.
Australia claimed South Africa’s last five wickets for 52 runs to dismiss the hosts for 387 at stumps on the fourth day of the deciding Test in Cape Town.
Ryan Rickelton scored 101 and Wiaan Mulder made 115, sharing a sixth-wicket partnership worth 154 runs before Australia broke through late. South Africa had resumed at 4-140 and lost just one wicket during the day’s first five hours.
Josh Inglis ended the partnership by stopping a reverse sweep from Mulder and running out Rickelton. Mitchell Starc then dismissed Marco Jansen for a duck, while Simon Harmer also fell without scoring, bowled by Nathan Lyon.
Gerald Coetzee was run out by Marnus Labuschagne before Pat Cummins dismissed Mulder in the day’s final over. Starc returned 3-65, taking his match tally to nine wickets, while Cummins finished with 2-71.
Australia’s bowling coach James Franklin said conditions had been difficult for the pace bowlers, making it important to contain scoring and build pressure.
Australia need their highest successful fourth-innings chase in 15 years to secure the series. Victory for either side would also bring top spot in the ICC rankings; Australia would retain first place with a draw.
