South Africa Set Australia 288 to Win Series Decider

South Africa were dismissed for 387 in their second innings at Newlands on Friday, leaving Australia 288 runs to win the series-deciding third Test. The match was level after four days, with the result to be decided by Australia’s fifth-day chase on October 31. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder supplied the defining stand of South Africa’s innings, putting on 154 runs for the sixth wicket after the hosts had slipped to 181 for five. Rickelton made 101 from 219 balls and Mulder scored 115 from 221, helping South Africa recover from a first-innings deficit of 100 runs. The pair came together after Matthew Breetzke was out for 43, caught at fine leg off Pat Cummins. Rickelton reached his century before a run-out ended his innings and the partnership. Mulder carried on with support from the lower order, reaching his fourth Test century before Cummins dismissed him as the final wicket. South Africa’s innings lasted 134.4 overs. South Africa had scored 329 in their first innings. Australia responded with 429, establishing the 100-run advantage that left the hosts needing a substantial second-innings total to set a target. Their 387 gave Australia a chance to win the Test and take the...