AUS VS SA 3rd Test: Usman Khawaja left stranded at 195* as Australia declare on day 4
AUS VS SA 3rd Test: Australia opener Usman Khawaja was left stranded on 195* in Day 4 of the Sydney Test match, just five short of his maiden Test double century. As Australia declared on 475 for four in their first innings when the rain that washed out the best part of two days of the third Test against South Africa finally relented after lunch on Saturday.
Australia have already locked up the series after comprehensive victories in Brisbane and Melbourne. They face an uphill task to win the final test with only five sessions remaining over the next two days.
Bad light forced an early end to play on the second day of the match on Thursday. Additionally, Friday’s third day was entirely washed out by the heavy rain sweeping in from the Pacific Ocean.
The start to day four on Saturday was delayed by light rain, but with the skies clearing. While the play was set to resume after what would had been the scheduled lunch break.
Matt Renshaw, who was five not out batting at the other end from Khawaja, was earlier welcomed back into the Australian dressing room after being isolated from his team mates following a positive COVID-19 test on Wednesday.
The third and final Test between Australia and South Africa will resume on Sunday morning, with the first ball scheduled for 5 am IST.
Cummins and Khawaja stand out for Australia in the AUS VS SA 3rd Test
Rain might have thwarted Usman Khawaja’s bid for a maiden Test double-century, but the lefty batter impressed us all with his class and consistency. Khawaja has been on a tremendous run since returning to the Test side in 2022. The southpaw has amassed 1275 runs at an average of 79.68 with five centuries and three of them came in a row at the SCG.
However, Pat Cummins was the hero for Australia on day four of the New Year’s Test against South Africa. With a blistering spell from the captain under lights keeping the hosts in contention for an unlikely victory at the SCG.
Australia will need to take 14 wickets on day five to clinch a series whitewash over the Proteas. After Cummins and Josh Hazlewood tore through South Africa’s top order on Saturday afternoon.
The Australian skipper put together an inspired bowling performance late in the evening session. Moreover, reinvigorate the 19,134 Sydney spectators, finishing the day with figures of 3-29 from 14 overs.
South Africa is 6-149 at stumps, still trailing by 326 runs, with Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer unbeaten on 10 and 6 respectively.
The hosts are left with another 98 overs on the last day. The Pat Cummins-led side will need to bowl out South Africa twice to force a result and become the first team to qualify for the 2021-23 World Test Championship final in June.
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