Match officials inspecting the pitch during a rain delay on the third day of the cricket Test match between Australia and South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 6, 2023 | Photo Credit: AP
Bad weather threatened to derail Australia’s bid for a series clean sweep against South Africa and a certain place in the World Test Championship final as the third and final Test against South Africa began at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
After delays by rain and bad light on the first two days, persistent and sometimes heavy, rain meant that no play was possible on Friday. This left Australia unable to add to the First innings score 475-4 And Usman Khawaja stranded on his overnight score of 195 and tantalizingly close to his maiden double century.
Australia now have the dilemma of deciding how many runs they need and then how much time they need to win over South Africa over the two remaining days on a pitch that does not offer the expected assistance for the spinners.
It had been raining continuously in the Sydney area since Friday morning and the spells of rain were not enough for the ground staff to prepare the ground and restart the match. The umpires called off the day’s play shortly after the scheduled tea break.
The forecast looks more favorable for the final two days of the Test, although some light rain is forecast for Saturday.
Australia have already won the series after two crushing defeats in the first two Tests in Brisbane and Melbourne.
Australia’s victory in this third Test will seal their place in the World Test Championship final to be played at Lord’s in England in June this year.
On Thursday, Khawaja scored his third straight SCG ton and surpassed his previous highest Test score of 174 against New Zealand in Brisbane in 2015 – and shared a 209-run stand with Steve Smith to take Australia to 475-4 When the rain stopped playing. Day.
Khawaja was given a lifeline on 119 when he dropped a sharp shin-height chance which was lost by Anrich Nortje after seeing the ball.
Smith scored 104 to join former Australian opener Matt Hayden on 30 Test hundreds. Only Ricky Ponting (41) and Steve Waugh (32) have more among Australian male Test players.
Smith also went past Hayden (8,625 runs) and Michael Clarke (8,643) in terms of career runs and is now the fourth-highest Australian with 8,647 runs behind Ponting (13,378), Allan Border (11,174) and Waugh (10,927). Test run scorer.
Matt Renshaw, in his first Test since 2018 to stand in for the injured Cameron Green, returned a positive test for COVID-19 just before play and was separated from the rest of his teammates and moved to another changing room at the SCG. He batted as expected at No.6 and was five not out at stumps on Thursday.
International Cricket Council rules stated that Renshaw was allowed to play in the match as long as he felt well, with the option of a similar substitute if he was unable to play.
Renshaw can be seen walking on the boundary ropes under an umbrella on Friday as he remains isolated from his teammates in what looks to be a disappointing return to Test cricket for the 26-year-old, hoping to be picked for Australia’s tour of India with. next month.