Third Test live updates: Aussies chasing 15-year first in blockbuster series showdown

The stats are against an Aussie victory in Cape Town, but the Aussies do have something going for them on day five.

History.

Victory would be the highest successful fourth-innings run chase by the Aussies in 15 years. It would also be the second-highest fourth-innings chase in the history of the Newlands ground.

Who managed the highest chase? That would be Australia.

In 2002, Ricky Ponting scored a century as Steve Waugh's men chased 331 in just 79 overs.

Ponting brought up his hundred in the 78th over, and before Shane Warne – presumably with zero interest in facing the new ball – belted Jacques Kallis to the boundary twice to end the Test in the 79th.

There have also been five other scores above 288 in that time, but all either ended in defeat or a draw.

According to WinViz, South Africa at 54 per cent favourites to win the third Test.

The Aussies are only 31 per cent, and a draw is 15 per cent.

The WinViz' has fluctuated between the two sides on multiple occasions throughout the match. At the end of day one, it was 72 per cent South Africa and 27 per cent Australia. When Australia was bowled out on day three, it was up to 71 per cent Australia, and the Proteas only 25 per cent.

At tea on day four, a Proteas victory or a draw were the most likely outcome at 41 per cent with the Aussies back down to 19 per cent.

Unsurprisingly, the flurry of South African wickets late on day four meant by stumps a result became far more likely.

England cricket legend Jimmy Anderson expressed profound shock after being unexpectedly dropped by his longtime county club, Lancashire - a sudden dismissal that left the veteran questioning his future and grappling with self-doubt.

Anderson had always envisioned finishing his playing days with Lancashire.

But instead, he now remains uncertain if his career is officially over after being dropped unceremoniously last season.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Australia will once again enter a summer of cricket with some doubts over its Test XI, particularly the batting line-up.

This year’s series’ against Bangladesh and South Africa have ultimately answered a few of the lingering questions, but others remain heading into an enormous year of cricket.

Australia will soon run the gauntlet of hosting New Zealand before away tours of India and England. An unstable batting order will certainly be exposed if they don’t begin to find some answers.

So, let’s go through the big questions facing coach Andrew McDonald, chief selector George Bailey and captain Pat Cummins ahead of three enormous Test series’.

READ NIC NEGREPONTIS’ FULL ANALYSIS HERE

This final day of the series is shaping up to be one of the all-time great days of Test cricket.

The Aussies, with several batters under pressure, need 288 to win. It's gettable, and the way the Proteas batted on day four is proof the wicket is still plenty good enough to bat on.

Doing so would also mark Australia’s largest successful fourth-innings run chase in 15 years.

The Proteas need to take 10 wickets, and they need all four of their frontline bowlers to be at their best.

Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder proved runs can be scored against the new ball. Given the docile pitch will be freshly rolled in the morning, the first hour of play will be crucial.

If Travis Head and Matthew Renshaw survive it and manage to get 50 or 70 on the board, that will go a long way towards setting up a remarkable victory.

But the longer the session goes on, the effects of the roller will start to wear off and batting will become more difficult. How much more difficult, it's impossible to say.

"We are in for an absolute blockbuster (on Saturday)," former Proteas quick Vernon Philander said on SEN at stumps on Saturday morning.

Days after arriving back home from his ill-fated Test recall, Nic Maddinson has endured a torrid return to the Sheffield Shield.

Having watched Tasmania belt 427 in its first innings at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, veteran quick Jackson Bird had both Sam Konstas – off the back of back-to-back centuries – and Ollie Davies caught behind early.

Batting at No.4, Maddinson got off the mark second ball with an on-drive into the mid-wicket region, but his stay lasted only another two balls before he became the third New South Welshman to nick off to Bird, caught by Mitch Owen in the slips.

In other Shield action, Cameron Bancroft (186) and Jayden Goodwin (108) put on 244 for the second wicket of WA's first innings against South Australia. WA eventually declared at 5-406 and then rolled SA for 154.

WA were then bowled out for 169 in its second innings, leaving SA a target of 422 for an unlikely win.

In the other match between Queensland and Victoria at the Gabba, Sam Harper and Marcus Harris put on 102 for the first wicket, before rain stopped play with the Vics at 1-131.

A tricky, final day chase of 288 awaits Australia in Newlands after South Africa was bowled out for 387.

Tons to Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton put the final Test of the series in the Proteas’ favour with a sensational conclusion ahead.

South Africa started the day at 4-140 with Matthew Breetzke on 19 and Rickelton had 8.

A steady flow of runs came from both men before Breetzke became the latest South African to be out playing the pull shot, caught by Mitchell Starc off Pat Cummins’ bowling for 43.

READ THE FULL DAY FOUR WRAP HERE

Hello and welcome to nine.com.au's LIVE coverage of day five of the third Test between South Africa and Australia from Cape Town.

We are set for a thrilling conclusion to this series. The Aussies need 288 runs to win the match and the series after bowling the Proteas out late on day four.

Follow along for all the updates.