Australia reduced South Africa to 149 for six at the close of play on the fourth day of the rain-disrupted third Test on Saturday after declaring on 475-4 in pursuit of a victory that would give them a 3-0 series sweep.
After the worst of two days’ worth of rain had benched out, the weather finally relented in the noon. As Australia promptly announced that they would give their bowlers as much time as possible to eliminate the tourists twice.
Every time a partnership seemed to be forming, the hosts smashed South African resistance. With some fierce speed bowling from the hosts’ captain Pat Cummins (3-29) and Josh Hazlewood (2-19).
As South Africa, which is still 126 runs short of avoiding the follow-on. Looks to bat out the last day in an effort to force a draw. Marco Jansen, who had scored 10 not out, and Simon Harmer, undefeated at six, will continue play on Sunday.
Hazlewood claimed spin spinners Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar will have a big day. As Australia was sure they could take 14 wickets to win.
“The follow-on is 275, so hopefully we can keep them under that and then go again,” he said. “The wicket should offer a bit of up and down for the quicks and spin out of the rough.”
Cummins’s decision to declare had left the unfortunate Usman Khawaja stranded five runs short of his maiden Test double century, on 195 not out.
Usman Khawaja Becomes First Cricketer To Miss A Maiden Test Double Century While Batting in 190s Due To Innings Declaration
Usman Khawaja has enjoyed a great run of form in Test crick
Dean Elgar had scored 164 runs less in the series’ first four innings than Khawaja had. The South Africa captain’s recent slump continued. When he gloved a short Hazlewood delivery behind for 15.
The rest of the early speed onslaught was thwarted by South Africa. But Sarel Erwee followed his opening partner into the changing rooms for 18 runs. After a Lyon ball nicked the side of his off stump.
The next over saw Heinrich Klaasen leave for two while also gloving behind. Giving Cummins his first wicket of the game. Despite this, the tourists held on to make it to the lunch break at 71 for three.
Temba Bavuma broke up Khaya Zondo’s promising stand with him by edging a Hazlewood delivery behind to leave for 35. Khaya Zondo had scored 39 when he was caught lbw by a Cummins yorker, an outcome that was supported by DRS.
Kyle Verreynne, the greatest batsman for South Africa in a disastrous series for the visitors, was dismissed for 19 in a late pace onslaught. Cummins had induced a stab at the ball, which Steve Smith caught in the slips.
“Oohs” and “aahs” reverberated across the Sydney Cricket Own in the dusk of the evening as Cummins and Hazlewood attempted to disrupt the South African batting order further, but Jansen and Harmer stood their ground.
“We’ve got a day to bat,” said Zondo. “We’ve done it before and we can do it again.
“It’s not been the greatest of tours but the guys are still in good spirits.”
Australia vs South Africa, 3rd Test: Stumps on Day
After convincing wins in Brisbane and Melbourne, Australia has already secured the series. But it still needs to win the last game to guarantee a spot in the World Test Championship final this year.
Their chances of winning were diminished when poor lighting forced an early halt to play on the match’s second day on Thursday. And when the third day of play on Friday was completely wiped out by the torrential rain moving in from the Pacific Ocean.
Light rain on Saturday delayed the start of day four, but the skies cleared in time for play to resume, and the weather for day five calls for bright skies and sunshine.
