Skipper Pat Cummins has a choice to make forward of Saturday’s fourth day: whether or not to declare the workforce’s first innings at 475 for 4 and get the Proteas in to bat or give Usman Khawaja the possibility to say his first Test double century.
Stumps. No play doable on day three in Sydney.The pre-match ceremony for Jane McGrath Day will now happen tomorrow morning #AUSvSA
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 1672981032000
Khawaja was stranded on 195 when rain ended play on Thursday, his highest Test rating. Matt Renshaw, who examined optimistic for Covid firstly of the match, was 5 not out.
Another deciding issue would be the state of the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch following three days of rain interruptions.
The frequent rain and protecting of the wicket has prevented the pitch from drying out and deteriorating from put on and tear for the good thing about Australia’s two chosen spinners, Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar.
Australia have gone into the match with solely chosen two front-line pacemen – Josh Hazlewood and Cummins – making their job extra even troublesome if the pitch is just not as conducive to spin as initially recreation deliberate.
A From The Vault rain replace: #AUSvSA https://t.co/rxgVHgHVaT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 1672977779000
The hosts are additionally pushing for a collection whitewash to seal a spot within the World Test Championship ultimate in London in June.
South Africa are naturally not as involved in regards to the climate as they attempt to keep away from the ignominy of a 3-0 drubbing.
“In the position we are in, the more time that is taken out of the game is probably more in our favour,” spinner Keshav Maharaj mentioned on Thursday’s second day after rain introduced South Africa some badly wanted respite.
“But it also puts Australia in a position where they have to make a play from here on in.”
The forecast is for improved circumstances on Saturday with much less rain anticipated earlier than sunny circumstances on Sunday’s ultimate day.
Australia are 2-0 up within the collection after successful the opening Test by a six-wicket rout in Brisbane inside two days after which hammering the Proteas by an innings and 182 runs in Melbourne.