Pat Cummins continued Australia’s quest for a 3-0 win in the series with a sensational spell at the end of Day 4’s shortened match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The hosts, led by a captain who took 3-29, left South Africa 149-6 as Usman Khawaja was stranded overnight with his 475/4 on his 195* to a fight to avoid with a final day loss. faced.
A chance to be relegated on a track played so softly by South Africa, especially compared to the other two consecutive records used in this series, should infuriate and underscore the current batting crisis. All the more so given four straight sessions that will wash up in Saturday morning’s test. The day started off bright, with the grays and gloom of Day 3 replaced by his touches of powder powder blue. However, the outfield had taken some hits from all the rain and needed a maintenance unit to resume play.
I posted my 1pm lunch break:
Cummins reiterated his desire to seek victory by declaring Australia’s first innings over despite Khawaja losing five times before the first Test match.South African attack The players of the opening game who have been hit have fallen into a situation where they do not know what will happen to the pitch left behind. His first two shipments back from Hazelwood did little to ease their apprehensions. They both hit Dean Elgar and hit Bat on the shoulder. The South African captain was hit up to four in Hazelwood’s first two overs, turning angles and aiming for the ribs. After surviving a spectacular dive on Steve Smith’s hold on his hold, the third referee thought it was grounded, but Elgar got out of shape trying to fend off his bouncer, another Hazelwood, and the keeper gave up. He grabbed the ball into Alex’s carry.
A breakthrough came and Australia smashed a few more scalps before the tea break, with Sarel Erwee cracking his excellent drive from Nathan Lyon but shouldering his arm on the next ball, I held the line at an angle to slice off the stump. Cummins, operating in a second short spell, aimed a short throw to the armpit of Heinrich Klaasen, allowing the South African number 3 to tickle the ball down the side of his leg for an easy catch by Carrie. That third wicket fall brought Temba Bavuma and Khaya Zondo together and the two men shared a 48-run winning streak. Both batsmen were particularly impressive in their length range, with Lyon bowling and each managing a pair of draw sixes against experienced off-spinners. brought Hazelwood back to attack after a tea break and saw his fast bowling partner find a backswing with 35+ balls. Bavuma edged the ball at his fourth stump line and South African resistance crumbled again.
Cummins returned for another burst, creating an exciting 6-over spell under the lights and throwing a bouncer around the stumps. He followed one such bouncer to Zondo and took with him a sizzling yorker who pinged Zondo just in front of the stumps. His attempts to review decisions on the field were fruitless. he turned 39. Outer sloping foot stumps.
Cummins added a third wicket to his name when he changed the angle again before the game ended, demanding a long delivery for Kyle Verain to easily catch Smith on the first slip. The Australian captain roared with delight to learn that the weather would allow his team to very well secure a final qualification spot for tomorrow’s World Cup.
Brief scores: South Africa 149/6 (Khaya Zondo 39; Pat Cummins 3-29, Josh Hazlewood 2-29) trail Australia 475/4 decl. (Usman Khawaja 195*, Steve Smith 104; Anrich Nortje 2-55) by 326 runs