Australia need 287 runs while South Africa hunt ten wickets.
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Newlands Decider: Australia Need 287
Australia need 287 runs to win while South Africa need to take 10 wickets to claim the series, world No. 1 Test ranking and key World Test Championship points.
The third Test between South Africa and Australia at Newlands has come down to a last-day decider after the series is currently level. Whilst a draw will technically mean the series is shared, both teams have made it clear they want to win.
hitting centuries
South Africa’s middle order hit back on day four with wicket-keeper Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder both hitting centuries. They finished their innings with a gritty last-wicket partnership of 36 runs to leave Australia with a target of 288.
However, South Africa struggled to score quickly throughout their innings, only scoring at a run rate of 2.80. This is due to the slow nature of the Newlands pitch. Rickelton said the ball was “softening up very quickly,” meaning it was difficult to score boundaries.
This is the issue Australia will have to overcome as they will need to score over three runs an over throughout the entire day to chase down 288 on a pitch that will reward patience.
Head coach Shukri Conrad and captain Temba Bavuma have told the squad that the score on the board will win the game. However, the dressing room felt they could have scored slightly quicker.
Key Numbers at a Glance
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Target set for Australia | 288 |
| Runs Australia still need | 287 |
| Wickets South Africa need | 10 |
| South Africa’s day-four scoring rate | 2.80 per over |
| Final-wicket partnership | 36 runs |
| Highest successful chase at Newlands | 334 (Australia, March 2002) |
| This chase’s rank at the venue | Second-highest attempted |
| Series status | Tied |
What the winner takes home:
- The series trophy
- The No. 1 spot in the world Test rankings
- Crucial World Test Championship points
Key takeaways:
- Pitch is key. The pitch has not deteriorated as much as expected. The slow pitch and soft ball mean that there will be few boundaries to score, meaning Australia must play a controlled innings without taking too many risks.
- Short-pitched bowling. Assistant coach James Franklin stated that Australia’s bowlers relied on short-pitched bowling on day four due to the lack of natural movement and bounce. He expects South Africa to do the same. However, the ball becomes harder to bowl through to the keeper as it gets older, so Australia’s batters must be ready for a tough day.
- ‘Tablecloth’. If the famous weather covers Table Mountain, then the swing-friendly conditions could help South Africa’s fast bowlers. Franklin did not want to speculate but said Australia will see how the conditions are in the morning and play with what they have.
- Mental advantage. Rickelton said chasing down a total of near 290 on the fifth day is mentally tough. The extra runs could be the difference. “It’s win or lose.”
- It can be done. Australia chased down 334 themselves at Newlands in 2002, so it can be done. This is a smaller total to chase, but it is on a slower pitch and with more to play for.
What’s next?
- Day five at Newlands will decide the series. Both sides will be looking to win.
- The winner will win the series and top the world Test rankings.
- The World Test Championship table will be affected as points will be awarded for this Test.
- Watch the morning conditions. If there is cloud over Table Mountain and there is early movement, then it will affect how both sides play in the first session.
FAQ
What is Australia chasing?
They will be chasing a target of 288, needing to score 287 runs on the final day.
What is at stake?
The winner takes the series, the world No. 1 Test side tag, and crucial World Test Championship points.
Can they still draw the match?
Yes; however, there is a possibility of the match ending in a draw. Both sides have stated their intention to win the match.
Who scored century partnerships?
South Africa’s wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder both scored centuries on day four.
How is the Newlands pitch playing?
It is a slow pitch with the ball becoming soft quickly. This makes scoring difficult. South Africa only scored 2.80 runs per over on day four.
What is the biggest successful chase at Newlands?
Australia chased down 334 against South Africa in March 2002. This is the second-highest chase attempted at Newlands.
Why is the tablecloth important?
When clouds roll in over Table Mountain, typically good swinging conditions for South Africa’s fast bowlers occur.
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