Rickelton and Mulder Centuries Leave Australia Facing Second-Highest Chase in 137 Years of Tests at Newlands

Cape Town: From the opening hour of the fourth day at Newlands it was clear what the home side intended - occupy the crease, take few risks and make Australia's bowlers wait. South Africa did exactly that. Resuming on 140 for four, they lost only one wicket across the first two sessions. Australia did find a burst of wickets after tea, but by then the shape of the day had already been decided. By stumps the picture was this: on Saturday, Australia must complete the second-highest successful run chase in 137 years of Test cricket at Newlands. The day revolved around Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder, who put on 154 for the sixth wicket. It was not a stand built on balls flying into the stands; it was built on discipline, on winning the small moments and on wearing the bowlers down. Rickelton made 101 and Mulder 115, the latter's fourth Test century - and its value was measured by the moment in which it arrived. At the start of the day South Africa had one job: survive. Matthew Breetzke fell for 43, and he fell in the manner that has become familiar for the hosts in this Test - attempting a pull shot and being caught on the boundary. Even after his departure South Africa did not change their plan, and Mulder joined Rickelton to hold the innings together. The pitch told its own story as the day wore on. Spinner Nathan Lyon found appreciable turn and the seamers had to contend with variable bounce. Lyon finished with two for 101 from a long spell, but the South African batsmen declined to take him on, choosing instead to rotate strike. On a slow surface with uneven bounce, occupying the crease is the most effective weapon available, and that thinking kept the hosts in the contest. Mulder's century was a study in the same patience. He spent time at the crease early, adjusted to the pace of the surface and then gradually lifted the scoring rate. When the team needed runs he began to take risks, and in the final session it cost him. He was the last man out, caught on the boundary as he tried to raise the tempo, bringing the day to a close. Speaking to reporters afterwards, Rickelton said: '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. 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.' Australia now need considerably more than the small moments. They will have to score at better than three runs an over against a South African attack that has had its feet up for more than a day and a half. That is the tension at the heart of this Test: the home seamers are fresh, Lyon is ready for a long spell, and the pitch is only going to get harder to bat on. The wider context sharpens the occasion. Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs; South Africa responded with victory by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha. The series is level at 1-1, and the winners of this match will occupy the number one spot in the Test world rankings, a position Australia currently hold. What happens on Saturday at Newlands will decide the series, the ranking and the narrative of a hard-fought contest. South Africa will want early wickets at the top of Australia's order; Australia will want their batsmen to stay disciplined against a turning, uneven surface. The patience the hosts showed on day four is both their greatest asset and Australia's biggest obstacle.