Play finally resumed after four successive washed-out sessions
Pat Cummins declared Australia’s first innings in the rain-interrupted third Test, eventually restarting after lunch on the fourth day.
The statement meant that Usman Khawadja remains on his highest score of 195 in the test. It reaffirms Australia’s valiant attempt to win the series and secure a place in the final of the World Cup in June.
Gary Alexander and Rahul Dravid are the only other captains in Test history to have declared batters in the 190s.Frank Worrell with 197 for Bridgetown and Sachin Tendulkar with 194 for Multan.
Matt Renshaw was fifth in his first Test match since 2018 after he tested positive for Covid-19 before the opening day match. He had a negative rapid antigen test yesterday and this morning.
The Third Test came to a frustrating halt after four consecutive lost sessions and his third day being abandoned with no balls thrown.
Heavy rain hit Sydney on Friday with 56mm of rain, continuing a string of wet matches in his traditional SCG New Year’s Test. In his first two days, 49 overs were lost due to rain and inadequate light.
The weather forecast for Sydney is looking better for the rest of the day ahead of sunny skies on Sunday. We have 59 overs left today and 98 overs to play on day five.
Australia’s impressive innings was based on a 209-run second his wicket his partnership between Kawaja and Stephen Smith. Surpassing his 188 against England at his SCG in 2018 was his 10th century partnership in just 33 innings, his best record.
After overtaking Sir Don Bradman in the Career Test Century List with his 30 tonnes, Smith fell for 104, with Manus Slabchagne and Travis Head contributing half-centuries.
A weakening South Africa look increasingly likely to avoid defeat, but at one point their struggling batting order was recalled in the first Test since 2017. Music has to face the revamped Australian assault by Josh Hazlewood and spinner Ashton Agger.