Proteas batsmen give them a fighting chance against Aussies

In the third and deciding cricket test between South Africa and Australia, brilliant centuries by Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder gave the Proteas a fighting chance. The South African team finished the day's play on 387 all out, setting up a target of 288 for Australia. At the beginning of the game, the Proteas were trailing by just 40 runs, at 140 for 4.

Ryan Rickelton and Matthew Breetzke demonstrated patience throughout the morning session, and by lunch, South Africa was sitting on 202 for 5, with Breetzke remaining not out on 43. After lunch, Rickelton and Mulder took over, forming a crucial 154-run partnership that pushed the score to 294 for 5 at tea and established a 194-run lead.

In the final session, the duo further solidified their advantage, with Rickelton scoring his century, though a mix-up led to his run out. Subsequently, the Proteas experienced a minor collapse, dropping from 335 for 5 to 351 for 9. Wiaan Mulder held his ground, and the final man in Kagiso Rabada assisted Rickelton in reaching his hundred.

Mulder's dismissal added more pressure to the Australian team, leaving them with a daunting task to overcome on the final day.