Lunch Australia 475 for 4 (Khawaja 195*, Smith 104, Nortje 2-55) vs South Africa
Usman Khawaja does not stop at 195
Rain may have prevented his Usman Khawaja’s bid for his first Test in two centuries after the first session of his third day at the SCG was washed away. Khawaja is stuck with his highest test score of 195, but Matthew Renshaw scored his first with 5 since 2018 after he tested positive for Covid-19 before the opening day game. The test has not appeared in his match.
Heavy rains will hit Sydney on Friday morning, with rain forecast for the rest of the day. His 49 overs were lost to rain and poor light in his first two days to continue the string of wet matches in his traditional SCG New Year’s test.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins is pondering whether Kawaja will declare early before he has a chance to hit the two tonne. Australia are hoping to go ahead and end their winning streak cleanly and secure a spot in the Test World Cup final in June.
Australia’s impressive innings was built on a 209-run second wicket partnership between Kawaja and Stephen Smith. It was his 10th-century partnership as he recorded the best tally in just 33 innings, surpassing his 188 innings against England at the SCG in 2018.
After overtaking Sir Don Bradman in the career test century list with his 30 tons, Smith fell in his 104, with Manus Slabchagne and Travis Head contributing half centuries.
A beleaguered South Africa are running out of answers, but the spotlight is on pressured captain Dean Elgar, whose tactics are seemingly reactionary and conservative. Apart from the quick Henrich Norce, who knocked down just two wickets on the first day, the South African attack failed to break through, especially frontrunner Kagiso Labada. He continues his staggering winning streak, scoring his 119-1 from his 28 overs.
South Africa need an improbable victory to maintain a slim chance of reaching the final of the Test World Cup.
The weather forecast for Sydney is better for Saturday as there will be less rain on Sunday before it clears up.
His third day of SCG testing will be dedicated to her Jane, the late wife of Australian great Glenn McGrath, who died of breast cancer in 2008. However, the traditional pre-match ceremony, which included the presentation of pink hats to both teams, was postponed to day four due to weather.