The complete third day of the ultimate Sydney Test was washed out on Friday forcing a reappraisal of Australia’s push for a sequence clear sweep over South Africa.
LIVE | AUSTRALIA V SOUTH AFRICA, 3RD TEST
Skipper Pat Cummins has a resolution to make forward of Saturday’s fourth day: whether or not to declare the workforce’s first innings at 475 for 4 and get the Proteas in to bat or give Usman Khawaja the prospect to assert his first Test double century.
Khawaja was stranded on 195 when rain ended play on Thursday, his highest Test rating. Matt Renshaw, who examined optimistic for Covid firstly of the match, was 5 not out.
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Another deciding issue would be the state of the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch following three days of rain interruptions.
The frequent rain and overlaying of the wicket has prevented the pitch from drying out and deteriorating from put on and tear for the advantage of Australia’s two chosen spinners, Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar.
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Australia have gone into the match with solely chosen two front-line pacemen – Josh Hazlewood and Cummins – making their process extra even tough if the pitch just isn’t as conducive to spin as initially sport deliberate.
The hosts are additionally pushing for a sequence whitewash to seal a place in the World Test Championship ultimate in London in June.
Australia are 2-0 up in the sequence
South Africa are naturally not as involved concerning the climate as they attempt to keep away from the ignominy of a 3-0 drubbing.
“In the position we are in, the more time that is taken out of the game is probably more in our favour,” spinner Keshav Maharaj mentioned on Thursday’s second day after rain introduced South Africa some badly wanted respite.
“But it also puts Australia in a position where they have to make a play from here on in.”
The forecast is for improved circumstances on Saturday with much less rain anticipated earlier than sunny circumstances on Sunday’s ultimate day.
Australia are 2-0 up in the sequence after profitable the opening Test by a six-wicket rout in Brisbane inside two days after which hammering the Proteas by an innings and 182 runs in Melbourne.
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TEAMS:
Australia
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (captain), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa
Dean Elgar (captain), Sarel Erwee, Heinrich Klaasen, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje
Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (NZL), Paul Reiffel (AUS)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
Match referee: Richie Richardson (WIS)
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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