Key events
WICKET! South Africa 387 all out (Mulder c Starc b Cummins 115)
Mulder mis-hooks Cummins to long on to end a superb innings and a compelling fourth day at Cape Town. When play resumes in the morning, Australia will need 288 to win.
134th over: South Africa 387-9 (Mulder 115, Rabada 2) Make that four sixes for Mulder, who has just dumped Lyon over the leg side and into the crowd. Time for one more over. When they resumed on 140 for 4, South Africa couldn’t have imagined they would still be batting at the close.
133rd over: South Africa 380-9 (Mulder 108, Rabada 2) A length ball from Cummins is boffed over backward square leg for six by Mulder. That’s a helluva shot, his third six of the innings, and he keeps the strike with a single off the fifth delivery.
Wiaan Mulder’s fourth Test hundred!
132nd over: South Africa 372-9 (Mulder 101, Rabada 2) Mulder drives Lyon through extra cover for two to reach a fantastic hundred! It’s his fourth in Tests – and arguably his best yet even though he has a highest score of 367 not out.
Mulder came in with South Africa effectively 81 for 5, knowing the series would be over if he fell early. But he played serenely from the start, always looked in control and reached his century from 204 balls.
131st over: South Africa 369-9 (Mulder 98, Rabada 2) Mulder again takes a single off the fourth ball of the over, and Rabada takes care of business without alarm.
Some of the commentators think South Africa should declare, which makes no sense when their lead is only 269.
“Cordially disagree with Roland Marshall,” begins Phil Harrison. “270 is a really tough chase for anyone, let alone a team who have been batting like Australia have and who are missing their best player. A Travis Head special changes things obviously, but to me, this feels like SA’s to lose now. What a game though. Nothing like Test cricket is there?”
It’s the best thing that has ever happened to anyone, ever.
130th over: South Africa 368-9 (Mulder 97, Rabada 2) Mulder again takes a single off the fourth ball, this time with Lyon the bowler, and Rabada does the necessary thereafter.
“Afternoon Rob,” writes Eddy Nason. “Fascinated that you went for Neil Finn when Catatonia (Mulder and Scully) were right there… was it an Homage to Neil’s long lost brother Steve?”
My brain is not the most sophisticated organ – it’s literally because, for no particular reason, I’ve had that Neil Finn song on loop the last few days. (But while we’re here, Steven Finn is one of my favourite punduits and you should all read his book.)
129th over: South Africa 367-9 (Mulder 96, Rabada 2) Cummins, on for Starc, is pulled expertly for four by Mulder. Another pull for a single takes him to 96 and leaves Rabada with two balls to survive.
“Hi Rob,” writes Roland Marshall. “Though there’s a lot of cricket still to be played, the cheap wickets of Jansen and Harmer have the feeling of being more than pivotal here: both could have taken the game away from the Aussies with a sufficiently controlled bit of humpty. One would think that Australia are now in the ascendancy, especially with the prospect of Travis Head doing one of his fourth-innings yahoos.
“By the way, all the best with toiling through the OBO stricken; I did something similar about fifteen years ago, translating the live feed in real-time for a sporting event, with the flu. Because I was working on the back office of the event’s IT system and every update came with a helpful ‘ting!’ I was able to do micro-naps between each entry. Bit more difficult for your good self, what with having to keep your eyes open and watch stuff.”
Ah, thank you. Even when I’m sick as a dog, and I most certainly am, I know how lucky I am to do this job!
128th over: South Africa 362-9 (Mulder 91, Rabada 2) Mulder slog-sweeps Lyon for six to move into the nineties. Yeeeeeehaaaaaaaa!
This has been an innings of admirable substance. I must confess, from afar I thought Mulder was a bits-and-pieces player but he has proved me wrong in this series with bat and ball
127th over: South Africa 355-9 (Mulder 84, Rabada 2) Mulder turns down a single, then pulls Starc round the corner for one. I think he thought it was going for two or even four.
Starc knocks himself off his feet, Mark Wood-style, before being chipped for two by Rabada. There are certainly worse No11s in world cricket.
“I won’t often get the chance for a pun to fit this snugly,” begins Mike Morris. “So: poor old Rickelton fell victim to a case of Mulder and scurry.
“And with that I’m taking the rest of the day off.”
126th over: South Africa 352-9 (Mulder 83, Rabada 0) Mulder takes a single to keep strike. South Africa lead by 252. What a belter of a game!
WICKET! South Africa 351-9 (Coetzee run out 1)
Apparently a message was brought out from the South African dressing-room between overs, presumably because they want to bowl tonight. That feels like a pretty big risk when the lead is only 250.
But it’s on the cards now, because Coetzee has been run out. He tried to take an imaginary single to short third, was sent back by Mulder and beaten by a direct hit from Labuschagne. Outstanding work from Labuschagne.
125th over: South Africa 347-8 (Mulder 78, Coetzee 1) Starc is one away from his fifth ten-for in Tests. He almost gets it when Coetzee gloves a unpleasant delivery over the head of Head at short leg. South Africa lead by 247.
124th over: South Africa 346-8 (Mulder 77, Coetzee 1) “Albert Edward Trott was the man who hit the six,” says Tom Barrington. “Sure this will be a footnote in the carnage unfolding though!”
WICKET! South Africa 344-8 (Harmer b Lyon 1)
Harmer pads up to a classic off-break from Lyon that turns a long way to hit the off stump. Australia have taken three wickets for nine runs, South Africa lead by 244 and there is not a person on the planet who truly knows which team is on top.
123rd over: South Africa 344-7 (Mulder 76, Harmer 1) That was Starc’s ninth wicket of the match. He’s the dictionary definition of a champion fast bowler.
“I don’t remember who it was, but didn’t an English batsman once play at Lord’s with a bout of malaria?” asks Anthony Bradley. “Came in before lunch on the first day, could barely see the ball, so decided to hit through the line and hit a six over the pavilion. It being Lord’s, no-one applauded for the rash shot. I think he went on to make a ton, having spent the lunch interval gulping brandy.”
Was that W Mitty RHB LBG? (I jest. It may well be true, I just can’t recall it in my current state.)
WICKET! South Africa 343-7 (Jansen c Lyon b Starc 0)
Another twist in this marvellous Test match. Marco Jansen is the latest South Africa to fall on the pull, hoicking the new bowler Mitchell Starc straight to Nathan Lyon on the square-leg boundary. After waiting an age for a wicket, Australia have taken two in quick succession.
122nd over: South Africa 342-6 (Mulder 75, Jansen 0) Lyon is back on for Labuschagne. His last ball to Jansen turns and takes pad, possibly bat, before flying past short leg. No dice.
“Where on earth are we in this game?” sniffs Will Ellen. “I can’t figure it out. Both teams want to win. Both teams still can. All four results are still possible. South Africa would love six or seven overs at the Aussies before the end, but I cant see them declaring, or Bazballing themselves out. Travis Head is the joker in the pack that scares any team from dangling too tasty a carrot… so there’s so much to weigh up here.
“A bit like Gary Cooper’s High Noon, the role of time is very much coming into consideration here.”
Spot on. I feel like either team could win comfortably and it would make sense, which is pretty unusual.
121st over: South Africa 340-6 (Mulder 74, Jansen 0) Mulder pulls Hazlewood majestically for four. Mad to say, for a man who almost broke Brian Lara’s record, but this might be his best Test innings.
“Hello Rob,” says Tim Sanders. “Talking of Eddie Paynter, as we were, he merits a place on the list of great Test performances in spite of illness. It was on the third day of the fourth Test at Brisbane, on the Bodyline tour, when he came straight from hospital to bat No8 and win the Ashes.”
120th over: South Africa 336-6 (Mulder 70, Jansen 0) “In the matter of best Test performances despite illness,” begins Stuart Middleton, “Garry Sobers’s century against England in 1973, completed in the midst of what was reportedly a hangover of epic proportions, must be pretty high on the list.”
See also: Botham, Sir Ian, in the Jubilee Test.
WICKET! South Africa 335-6 (Rickelton run out 101)
Australia have the breakthrough! Mulder steers Labuschagne to backward point, stands his ground and then realises Rickelton is almost alongside him. Rickelton tries to get back but is well short when Labuschagne takes Josh Inglis’s throw and breaks the stumps. A frustrating end to a quite brilliant innnings.
Ryan Rickelton’s third Test century!
119th over: South Africa 327-5 (Rickelton 101, Mulder 65) A huge roar from the home crowd as Rickelton flicks Hazlewood through square leg for two to reach an outstanding hundred. This has been a proper Test innings, played under extreme pressure: 218 balls, 12 fours, no sixes. We don’t need sixes.
118th over: South Africa 327-5 (Rickelton 98, Mulder 64) And now Marnus is back! He’s turning it a fair bit, particularly to the left-handed Rickelton, who thick-edges a single round the corner to move to 98.
Mulder laps and sweeps consecutive deliveries for four to lift South Africa’s lead to 227. At the start of play they were effectively 40 for 4.
117th over: South Africa 318-5 (Rickelton 97, Mulder 56) Hazlewood comes on to replace Cummins. Apologies, I’m really struggling here. There’s a hint of reverse swing, which was so important in the first Test, but Mulder shows good judgement of what to leave and what to defend. One from the over.
117th over: South Africa 317-5 (Rickelton 96, Mulder 56) Rickelton drives Head down the ground for a single to move to 96. He’s been in the nineties for ten overs, but there’s no sign yet of nervousness.
115th over: South Africa 315-5 (Rickelton 95, Mulder 55) Apologies, I had to run to the bathroom during that over – I don’t think we missed anything of note.
114th over: South Africa 312-5 (Rickelton 94, Mulder 53) Travis Head comes on for Nathan Lyon. Mulder drives him for four to bring up a fine half-century from 138 balls. South Africa were under so much pressure when he came to the crease, but he has played beautifully.
113th over: South Africa 307-5 (Rickelton 94, Mulder 48) Cummins tries to tempt Rickelton, who needs six for his hundred, into something injudicious by floating a few tempters outside off stump. Rickelton isn’t interested and it’s another maiden.
“You wondered how Starc has managed to get even better at this stage of his career,” writes Ian. “Could it be that multi-format cricket makes batters worse at facing certain types of Test bowling? As with most things in life, it’s probably a bit of both. I’m looking forward to seeing him in England next summer, hopefully not being as deadly.”
It feels like Test batting is weaker than it has been for a long time, but I also think Starc’s improvement outstrips that trend. Wobble-seam has made a big difference.
112th over: South Africa 307-5 (Rickelton 94, Mulder 48) Lyon continues to wheel away without success: his figures are 38-10-77-1. Very tidy, but Australia need more in that final column.
“Hi Rob,” writes Tom Paternoster-Howe. “You asked in over 109 how do you take 350+ Test wickets then get better in your mid-30s. Isn’t that a question you should direct to Jimmy Anderson, one of the few men who could actually answer it with any knowledge? I understand he’s got a bit of free time nowadays, so might have time to answer!”
When I’m awake at 4am, one thought distracts me more than any other: had England picked Jimmy Anderson and Ollie Robinson last winter, they might have won the Ashes.
111th over: South Africa 305-5 (Rickelton 93, Mulder 47) Starc off, Cummins on. He bowls a maiden to Rickelton, who tries to pull a leg-side bumper and is beaten. Careful now.
“Is there an argument for SA to try and push on a little now?” wonders Phil Harrison. “Australia have been in the field for 108 overs, the second new ball is 28 overs old and Jansen is in next. Time to reverse the pressure?”
There’s certainly an argument for that. I think I’d keep playing at a natural tempo – especially as the next man in is Marco Jansen, who will score quickly if he spends any time at the crease. It’s beautifully poised.
110th over: South Africa 305-5 (Rickelton 93, Mulder 47) A maiden from Lyon to Mulder.
“Is this your equivalent of Michael Jordan’s flu game?” asks Daniel McDonald. “OBOing a great test match despite terrible indisposition. What are the best Test performances despite illness? Dean Jones in the tied Test springs to mind.”
I’m not that bad. Are we talking illness and injury, or just the former? Either way, Dean Jones – “you weak Victorian” – is right up there. Rick McCosker and Anil Kumble batting with a broken jaw come to mind if we’re including injuries.
109th over: South Africa 305-5 (Rickelton 93, Mulder 47) A beautiful bouncer from Starc whistles past Rickelton’s nose. Australia haven’t taken a wicket since the morning session but know that one could bring two, three, even five.
Since the start of 2025, Starc has taken 86 wickets at 18 apiece. How do you take 350+ Test wickets and then become even better in your mid-30s?
108th over: South Africa 303-5 (Rickelton 92, Mulder 46) “Poor Robbie,” writes Robbie Robert Wilson. “There’s nothing ersatz about your Gary Coopertude. You’re our idéal maximal, our archétype, notre chevalier errant. You’re Aragorn with a bargain haircut and a decent forward defensive. We all model ourselves on you.
“I’m very sorry about your Covid glums. Since (remarkably) no one trusts vaccines any more you could always start smoking or get pregnant (both bizarrely protected populations). Just a suggestion.
“This is an absolutely wonderful match. I continue to maintain that it’s all about the pitch. I just don’t know how or why. It’s still an insight, buddy.”
This is me right now. No, the left.
107th over: South Africa 302-5 (Rickelton 91, Mulder 46) Rickelton steers Starc past gully for four to move into the nineties. Then he has a moment of fortune when a length delivery keeps low, hits the bottom of the bat and deflects just past the stumps. Rickelton fell over himself but went backwards rather than towards the poles.
“If we’re talking four-man attacks, what about Harmison, Hoggard, Jones, Flintoff?” says Andrew Cosgrove. “People went on about Vaughan’s captaincy, but it must be fairly easy to look like a good captain if your available options is to bring one of those four on.”
That’s true, though I reckon his man-management got the best out of at least three of them. I think Harmison called Vaughan “the best liar I ever played with”, and it was meant as a compliment.
106th over: South Africa 297-5 (Rickelton 86, Mulder 46) This is Mulder’s highest score since his 367 not out against Zimbabwe last year, and the fifth-highest of his 27-Test career. In context it is such a valuable innings. South Africa were in all sorts, effectively 81 for 5, when he came to the crease.
“I think Stephen Fleming could be an excellent foil to many of this England Test team,” writes Guy Hornsby. “I still find so much of the opprobrium towards Brook baffling as time goes on. Bazball allowed him to be ultra-aggressive, but it’s hardly like he can only play one way. We’ve seen lately in white-ball cricket how destructive he can be but the shots he plays aren’t that frenetic any more. They’re calculating and brilliant.
“He’s a generational talent, and I’ve accepted this is how he is. But Fleming can accentuate playing the situation, and feels like a good fit. We’ll find out soon enough because playing this team at home is going to be a huge task. They’ve rebuilt superbly, and Australia look a little short of ideas. Another 100 and they will feel very happy with where they are.”
105th over: South Africa 296-5 (Rickelton 85, Mulder 46) Mitchell Starc replaces Marnus Labuschagne and digs in a few short balls to Mulder, who politely ignores a couple and then misses a slightly frivolous pull.
“Why are we taking about Harry Brook?” asks Adam Foster. “Love him, but I have paid no attention to the tri-series while this has been on. There is just no comparison to a tight series and a five-day decider, regardless of who you support (SA of course). We cannot lose this. Magic.”
I just cut and paste the emails. But yes, I agree, Test cricket is the purest form of sport in the whole wide world. Imagine if this was a five-Test series!
104th over: South Africa 295-5 (Rickelton 84, Mulder 46) Nathan Lyon returns to the attack after tea, slip and short leg in place for Rickelton, who waves a single off the final ball of the over to keep strike. Sheesh he’s played well.
“This Australian attack must be the best balanced and most accomplished four-bowler unit for the ages?” says Brian Withington. “Obviously Warne and McGrath were peerless, but I’d put both Cummins and Hazelwood ahead of Lee and Gillespie, never mind the X-factor of the left armed Starc. And Lyon right up there as a top-drawer finger spinner.”
If you exclude the 1980s West Indies on the grounds of balance, I guess Australia are the attack with the strongest weak link. Brett Lee was bloody good, terrifying at times, but ultimately he averaged over 30. Mind you, do does Nathan Lyon. I can see both sides!
(I think you underestimate Gillespie btw – at his best, from 1997 t0 2004, he was a monster.)
The evening session
The players are wandering back onto the field. By the way, I should apologise for the relative poverty of today’s coverage – I’m sick as a dog (weirdly, this being the year 2026, I think I have Covid for the first time) but am soldiering on like an ersatz Gary Cooper.
“It’s wild how dismissive and almost scornful so many England supporters routinely are of Harry Brook,” writes Phil Harrison. “He averages 53 after 41 Tests ffs. Everyone gets out. Do these weirdos not expect him to play a shot in anger?”
I can understand the frustration, because a computer-game version of Brook could average 70 in Tests. But as with his spiritual forefather, Kevin Pietersen, I’m just grateful to watch an unfettered genius at work.
Tea: South Africa lead by 194 runs
103rd over: South Africa 294-5 (Rickelton 83, Mulder 46) Rickelton and Mulder complete a wicketless session, one that has arguably made South Africa favourites to win the match. They’ve added 113 for the sixth wicket, and Australia have tried eight bowling options in an attempt to break the partnership.
Test cricket > everything, ever.
102nd over: South Africa 293-5 (Rickelton 82, Mulder 46) Mulder top-edges a slog-sweep off Head that lands safely and brings two runs. Australia have always produced a higher class of partnership breaker – Greg Bloody Blewett – and their occasional spinners look surprisingly menacing.
101st over: South Africa 291-5 (Rickelton 82, Mulder 44) And now it’s time for Marnus, the leg-spinning version. He gets a couple of deliveries to really rip from outside the left-hander’s off stump. Rickelton plays one good cut for two but that was a promising over for Australia.
100th over: South Africa 288-5 (Rickelton 80, Mulder 43) Cummins continues to roll the dice, brings Travis Head into the attack. Four singles form a low-key over.
“The sheer resilience of these two teams stands in stark/Starc contrast to what England often serve up in similar situations,” writes Julian Menz. “There have been a few Rourke’s Drift performances to be fair, but chances are we’d be seeing Brook flattering to deceive, holing out for 30-odd. How deeply has Bazball penetrated English cricket’s DNA, despite the encouraging cameos of ‘proper batting’ of late.
“As for Starc (you saw what I did there)….a large part of resilience is the ability to attack, to make it easier for those doing the hard graft to be, well, resilient.”
I still think history will be kind to Bazball, however shambolically it ended. But it’ll be fascinating to see them adopt a more streetwise approach under Stephen Fleming.
