Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne is congratulated by Usman Khawaja after reaching 50 runs in opposition to South Africa in the course of the third Test match on the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, on January 4, 2023
| Photo Credit: AP
Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja grabbed half-centuries as Australia made the very best of a wet day one to be 147 for 2 at stumps within the third Test in opposition to a frustrated South Africa in Sydney on Wednesday.
Opener Khawaja was 54 not out and Steve Smith but to face a ball when rain halted play halfway by way of the ultimate session on the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The match is a useless rubber after Australia sealed the collection with wins in Melbourne and Brisbane, however Pat Cummins’s aspect can e-book their place within the World Test Championship closing with one other victory.
Lion-hearted paceman Anrich Nortje took each the wickets, eradicating opener David Warner for 10 early within the morning and Marnus Labuschagne for 79 with the final ball of the day.
Labuschagne’s dismissal broke a 135-run partnership with Khawaja and got here as candy aid for the Proteas, who would possibly earlier have felt the very heavens have been in opposition to them.
Their captain Deal Elgar misplaced the toss for the third time within the collection, with Cummins successful his fifth in succession to finish an ideal residence summer time with the coin.
Labuschagne was reprieved on 70 after nicking Marco Jansen to Simon Harmer at first slip, the spinner claiming a low catch that was cancelled out by the third umpire regardless of replays showing inconclusive at greatest.
Bad mild, rain
South Africa have been left stewing over the choice when dangerous mild and rain introduced an early tea.
Nortje helped set issues to rights after a chronic break with a quick and livid ball that cramped Labuschagne and located the skin edge on the best way to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.
The speedster roared in triumph however South Africa’s celebrations have been minimize quick by the rain.
Nortje’s first wicket fell in his lap as Warner, blood pumping after two early fours, slashed at a fuller supply that despatched a thick edge to towering all-rounder Jansen within the slips.
Between Nortje’s wickets, South Africa had little to crow about.
The pitch was largely unresponsive and Elgar’s bowling adjustments ineffective in the primary.
Keshav Maharaj and Harmer, who changed quick bowler Lungi Ngidi to supply a second spinning choice, discovered some flip earlier than lunch however have been smashed out of the assault after the break as Labuschagne hit out.
Kagiso Rabada’s underwhelming collection continued, the tempo spearhead conceding 45 runs from his 12 overs.
Both groups sprung choice surprises, with Australia selecting Matt Renshaw to interchange injured all-rounder Cameron Green at quantity six, whereas dropping paceman Scott Boland in favour of fit-again Josh Hazlewood.
Renshaw, again within the aspect for the primary time in almost 5 years, examined constructive for COVID-19 earlier than play however was remoted from the group and can play out the Test.
Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar was picked for his first Test since 2017.
South Africa went with wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen to interchange Theunis de Bruyn at quantity three, overlooking Rassie van der Dussen.