As the third and final test against South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground appears to be destined for a draw.
Inclement weather threatens to derail Australia’s quest for a series sweep and a guaranteed spot in the World Test Championship final.
On Friday, no play was possible at all due to persistent
At times heavy, rain, which had caused bad light delays over the previous two day, it prevented Australia from increasing.
Its impressive score of 475-4 in the first innings and left Usman Khawaja stranded on his overnight score of 195,
Which was tantalizingly close to being his first double century.
Now, Australia must decide how many runs and how much time it needs to bowl out South Africa.
Twice to win in the two remaining days on a pitch that isn’t providing spinners with the expected support.
From early on Friday morning, there was a steady downpour that swept through the Sydney region.
The brief blips in the precipitation were insufficient for the ground staff to prepare the field and allow the match to resume.
Even though some light showers are predicted for Saturday.
The forecast appears to be more favorable for the test’s final two days.
After suffering crushing defeats in the initial two tests at Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia has already won the series.
If Australia wins this third test, it will get into the final of the world test championship,
Which will be held in June at Lord’s in England.
Khawaja passed his previous highest test score, which was 174 against New Zealand in Brisbane in 2015, on Thursday.
He also shared a 209-run partnership with Steve Smith to lift Australia to 475-4 when play was stopped for the day due to rain.
On 119, Khawaja offered a sharp shin-high chance that Anrich Nortje missed at the gully after losing sight of the ball. This saved Khawaja’s life.
Smith scored 104 runs, joining Matt Hayden, a former Australia opening batsman, with 30 test centuries.
Among Australian men’s Test players, only Steve Waugh (32) and Ricky Ponting (41) have more
Steve Smith is now the fourth-highest Australian test run scorer with 8,647 runs.
Behind Ponting (13,378), Allan Border (11,174), and Waugh (10,927).
He also passed Michael Clarke (8,643) and Hayden (8,625 runs) for career runs.
Matt Renshaw tested positive for COVID-19 just before play in his first test since 2018 for Cameron Green, who was injured.
He was separated from the rest of his teammates and moved into a different changing room at the SCG.
He batted as expected at No. 6 and reached stumps on Thursday with five runs unbeaten.
According to the regulations of the International Cricket Council
Renshaw is allowed to participate in the match as long as he is able to do so due to his health.
If he is unable to do so, he can be replaced by a similar player.
In a frustrating return to test cricket for the 26-year-old with hopes of being selected for the Australia squad to tour India next month.
He was observed on Friday wandering along the boundary rope under an umbrella.