Australia will resume day five of the third and final Test at Newlands needing 288 runs for victory, with the series on the line and Marnus Labuschagne under pressure after falling for a five-ball duck in the first innings.
Play is set to begin at 7:30pm AEDT on Saturday, with the pitch showing signs of turn but consistent bounce, according to the final day's reports from Cape Town. South Africa set the target after Wiaan Mulder made 115 and Ryan Rickelton 101 on day four.
The series is on the line. Australia's top order will be the focus, particularly Labuschagne at number three. The 32-year-old has not scored a Test century since July 2023, and has now failed to reach three figures for 48 consecutive innings, a record for the longest stretch without a hundred by a batter in Australia's top four. Reports note there have already been calls for Josh Inglis to move to number three in the Australian summer order in Labuschagne's place.
Mitchell Starc took three wickets for Australia, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon two each, Josh Hazlewood one, and there were two run outs. South Africa's Ryan Rickelton celebrated his hundred.
Cloud cover over Newlands this morning could be a factor, with Starc having got the second new ball swerving under similar skies on the first evening, according to reporter Daniel Brettig. Australia will hope the breeze shifts the overhead cover in time for another sunny day, better for running down the target. All Australia’s batters were having a hit in the nets this morning.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The Test series between Australia and South Africa is level, making this a decisive match for the series result.
- Marnus Labuschagne's prolonged form slump raises questions about Australia's Test batting order ahead of the home summer.
- The outcome will shape both teams' positions in the World Test Championship standings.
Background
The third and final Test began on Tuesday at Newlands in Cape Town. The series is tied, with both sides having won one match each. Day four saw South Africa set Australia a target of 288 after centuries from Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton.
Key Perspectives
Marnus Labuschagne: Under pressure after a first-innings duck, with his Test place reportedly under discussion.
Australia's camp: All batters were in the nets this morning, focused on the chase.
Conditions: Cloud cover may favour South Africa's bowlers, as it did when Starc swung the second new ball on day one.
What to Watch
- How Labuschagne performs in the second innings, a score could secure his place, another failure may accelerate calls for change.
- Whether cloud cover persists and assists South Africa's pace attack.
- The early wicket count, Australia need 288 with ten wickets in hand on a pitch offering turn.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedAustralia need 288 runs for victory.WA Today - Latest News: “The equation is simple: Australia require 288 runs to win.”
- SupportedThe series is on the line.WA Today - Latest News: “Series on the line as final Test goes down to day five”
- SupportedLabuschagne faces a do-or-die day and is under pressure after a five-ball first-innings duck.WA Today - Latest News: “It’s do-or-die for Marnus Labuschagne. [...] After falling for a five-ball duck in the first innings, the pressure will be firmly on the Australian No.3 to deliver”
- SupportedCloud cover may aid South Africa.WA Today - Latest News: “Cloud cover could tip scales in Proteas’ favour”
- SupportedThe match is day five of the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town.WA Today - Latest News: “day five of the third and final Test between Australia and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town.”
- SupportedPlay is set to resume at 7:30pm AEDT on Saturday.WA Today - Latest News: “Play is set to resume at 7:30pm AEDT.”
- SupportedThe pitch is turning but has maintained consistent bounce.WA Today - Latest News: “The pitch is turning but the bounce has remained consistent throughout the Test.”
- SupportedSouth Africa set the target after Wiaan Mulder made 115 and Ryan Rickelton made 101 on day four.WA Today - Latest News: “After Wiaan Mulder was out for 115 at the end of day four [...] the fine centuries on day four to Mulder and Ryan Rickelton, who hit 101.”
- SupportedLabuschagne is 32 and has not scored a Test century since July 2023.WA Today - Latest News: “the 32-year-old [...] He hasn’t scored a Test century since July 2023.”
- SupportedLabuschagne has gone 48 consecutive innings without reaching three figures, a record for a batter in Australia’s top four.WA Today - Latest News: “It means the 32-year-old failed to score a Test century for the 48th time in a row - a record for the number of consecutive innings a batter in Australia’s top four has waited to raise his bat at three figures.”
- SupportedThere have already been calls for Josh Inglis to move to number three in the Australian summer order in Labuschagne’s place.WA Today - Latest News: “There’s already been calls for Josh Inglis to move to No.3 in the order to start the Australian summer in place for Labuschagne.”
- SupportedCloud over Newlands could matter; Starc got the second new ball swerving under similar skies on the first evening, according to Daniel Brettig.WA Today - Latest News: “By Daniel Brettig There is some cloud above Newlands this morning, which may be a material factor in how this chase plays out. It was under similar skies that Starc got the second new ball swerving on the first evening.”