Australia must overcome South Africa’s formidable pace attack and the spin threat posed by Simon Harmer on a slow, deteriorating Newlands pitch if they are to secure the series, South African wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton has warned.
Rickelton scored his third Test century on Friday, joining Wiaan Mulder, who made 115, as South Africa set Australia a challenging target of 288 runs on the final day.
The visitors face an additional challenge because scoring becomes increasingly difficult with the older ball on the deteriorating surface.
Rickelton Expects a Difficult Final-Day Chase
Speaking to reporters at the close of the fourth day, Rickelton described the pitch as slow and said the soft ball made it difficult for batters to find gaps in the field.
“It definitely felt quite slow, and when the ball was soft it was difficult to beat the infield,” he said.
He added that the new ball offered scoring opportunities but also created chances for the bowlers to take wickets.
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“The bounce was a little two-paced, although we didn’t see too many balls staying low, unfortunately from our point of view,” Rickelton said.
He expects Australia to face a demanding task if they attempt to maintain a scoring rate of three runs per over throughout the day.
“I think it’s going to be a grind. For Australia to score at three runs an over throughout the day would be a big ask on a slower, lower and deteriorating wicket,” he said.
Simon Harmer Could Play a Decisive Role
Rickelton identified off-spinner Simon Harmer as a major threat, particularly against Australia’s right-handed batters.
Rough patches outside the off stump could allow Harmer to create opportunities by turning the ball towards the stumps or drawing batters into playing away from their bodies.
Rickelton said batting as a left-hander had been easier because the ball offered limited turn when bowled from the straighter areas of the pitch.
“It was a lot easier for me as a left-hander because there wasn’t much turn from the straight areas of the pitch,” he said.
However, he explained that Harmer became more dangerous when bowling wider and targeting the rough outside the off stump.
“When the off-spinner went wider and bowled into the rough, trying to lure me into playing outside off stump, there was a much greater chance of an edge or a dismissal,” he added.
Rickelton also expressed surprise that the pitch had not produced more turn despite the hot weather in Cape Town over recent days. He warned that deliveries turning back towards right-handers could prove particularly difficult to handle.
Series Remains Level at 1-1
The series stands at 1-1, with Australia winning the opening Test in Durban before South Africa fought back in Gqeberha.
Rickelton described the contest as a closely fought series in which both sides had enjoyed periods of dominance before their opponents responded.
“It’s been a special series. It’s ebbed and flowed across all three games,” he said.
“Both teams have got ahead at different stages, only for the other to fight back. There have been mistakes and some really good cricket as well.”
With 288 runs separating Australia from victory, the final day at Newlands is set to test the visitors’ batting depth against South Africa’s pace bowlers and Harmer’s spin.
