Live: Australia starts tough chase with series victory over South Africa on the line

Needless to say, Ryan Rickelton wasn’t overly pleased about the way he got out yesterday…

Remember, you can listen to the live call from Cape Town via the ABC Listen App.

Nothing looked like it was going to get through the South African defenses on day four.

That was until Ryan Rickelton was run out by Wiaan Mulder.

Ironically, those two were school mates, ironic in that their mix up was the sort you see on playgrounds daily during the summer.

Here’s that and the other quick hits from an absorbing fourth day.

After South Africa showed the way with a dogged and patient battle against the ball and a slow pitch on day four, Australia’s batters now have to step up and prove once again that they can mix it with the best to claim a series win.

There were plenty around the traps who thought that, perhaps, the Test would be finished yesterday.

Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder had other ideas.

Both men scored the grittiest of centuries, mixing suffocating defence with flourishes of real class.

For the longest time it didn’t look like Australia were going to come close to dislodging either of them, before Rickelton ran himself out, precipitating a major collapse from 5-335 to 9-351.

Ragiso Rabada though settled everyone’s nerves with a gutsy rearguard, brilliantly assisted by Mulder, who scored 115 before holing out in the final over of the day.

Here’s the full wrap.

Does it get any better than this?

The final day of the final Test and everything is still on the line.

The honours in the match? Yes.

The honours in the series? Yes.

The lead in the World Test Championship? Pretty much.

South Africa proved yesterday that this was still a pitch where application and disciplined approach can reap rewards.

Australia now needs to show that same discipline to save, and perhaps even win the Test themselves.

My name is Simon Smale, Chris de Silva is here with me, and we’re both thrilled to be able to take you through a cracking series decider.

Will it be glory for Australia? Or will South Africa and this wearing pitch make the day a nightmare on this All Hallows’ Eve…