Rain dampens Australia’s hopes of sweeping South Africa off the series

Steady rain threatens to derail Australia’s bid of a series clear sweep in opposition to South Africa and a confirmed place in the world take a look at championship remaining as the third and remaining take a look at in opposition to South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground meanders in direction of a draw.

After rain delays on each the first two days, additional rain Friday meant no play was potential earlier than lunch with Australia unable so as to add to its imposing first innings rating of 475-4 and leaving Usman Khawaja on his in a single day rating of 195 and tantalizingly near his first double century.

With extra showers anticipated Friday, Australia has the dilemma of deciding what number of runs it wants after which how a lot time it must bowl out South Africa twice on a pitch not but providing the anticipated help for the spinners.

Australia has already received the series after two crushing defeats in the first two checks at Brisbane and Melbourne.

A win for Australia on this third take a look at would verify its place in the world take a look at championship remaining to be performed at Lord’s in England in June this yr.

On Thursday, Khawaja scored his third straight SCG ton and handed his earlier highest take a look at rating of 174 in opposition to New Zealand at Brisbane in 2015 and shared a 209-run partnership with Steve Smith to elevate Australia to 475-4 when rain stopped play for the day.

Smith made 104 to affix former Australia opening batter Matt Hayden on 30 take a look at centuries. Only Ricky Ponting (41) and Steve Waugh (32) have extra amongst Australian males’s take a look at gamers.

Smith additionally handed Hayden (8,625 runs) and Michael Clarke (8,643) for profession runs and is now the fourth-highest Australian take a look at run scorer with 8,647 runs, behind Ponting (13,378), Allan Border (11,174) and Waugh (10,927).

Matt Renshaw, in his first take a look at since 2018 for the injured Cameron Green, returned a optimistic take a look at for COVID-19 simply earlier than play and was separated from the the rest of his teammates and moved into one other altering room at the SCG. He batted as anticipated at No.6 and was 5 not out at stumps Thursday.

International Cricket Council laws state Renshaw is permitted to play in the match as lengthy he feels properly sufficient, with the choice for a like-for-like substitute if he was unable to play.

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