Followers on the SCG have been pulling their hair out as cricket’s most irritating rule reared its ugly head on day one of many third Take a look at in opposition to South Africa.
With rain forecast on Wednesday, and constantly over the primary few days of the Take a look at, getting as a lot play in as potential is essential for a consequence which, in Sydney, is usually exhausting to return by anyway.
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Simply final yr, the Aussies have been made to accept a draw within the Sydney Take a look at in opposition to England, falling one wicket in need of what would have made it a 5-Zero Ashes whitewash.
However whereas rain performed a job in Wednesday’s frustration, it was unhealthy mild that did essentially the most injury.
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Gamers went off twice and the day was finally deserted with simply 47 overs bowled for the day.
The SCG – as are all worldwide grounds in Australia – is greater than able to internet hosting night time fixtures however, underneath ICC guidelines, when synthetic mild turns into the dominant supply of sunshine in red-ball Take a look at matches, play should be stopped.
It is a rule that left nearly 30,000 followers on the SCG annoyed, as was former Aussie skipper, Steve Waugh, who took to social media to vent his frustration.
“Take a look at cricket wants to understand there may be lots of competitors on the market and never utilizing the lights when the gamers are off for unhealthy mild merely does not add up,” he wrote.
“A lot of sad spectators who cannot perceive the rationale and motive for no play.”
Marnus Labuschagne was left to rue the poor climate after being denied a fourth century of the summer time.
Labuschagne was caught behind for 79 off a vicious, rising ball from Anrich Nortje, earlier than the gamers instantly left the sector for the second time for unhealthy mild with Australia 2-147 when stumps have been referred to as.
The suitable-hander’s dismissal got here in a short four-over stint after an earlier two-and-a-half hour delay, principally as a consequence of poor mild with some rain additionally falling in patches.
Forty-seven overs into the Take a look at, it already seems probably that the climate may current the largest hurdle for the hosts as they push for assured qualification within the World Take a look at Championship closing with a win.
Poor climate has now impacted six of the final seven Assessments on the SCG, with additional rain forecast later within the week.
Labuschagne had seemed in impeccable contact earlier than his exit, pulling and slicing his well beyond 50 as a part of a 135-run stand with Usman Khawaja (54no).
After being affected person within the first session, Labuschagne added 42 in his 53 balls after lunch as he took to Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj.
His solely different scare got here on 70 when he edged a ball off Marco Jansen and was given out on a tender sign, earlier than third-umpire Richard Kettleborough deemed the ball had bounced earlier than reaching Simon Harmer.
South Africa have been left livid and remonstrated with umpire Chris Gaffaney and Labuschagne, with the latter adamant the ball had bounced.
Marnus Labuschagne survives contentious overview
On the different finish, Khawaja turned the 27th Australian to go 4000 Take a look at runs as he continued on his merry manner on the SCG.
Now averaging greater than 100 on the floor, he pulled the ball properly and drove neatly by means of the covers.
Earlier, David Warner was the one Australian to fall within the opening session when he edged Nortje (2-26) to first slip on 10 as he chased a large supply.
Nortje has developed into the Proteas’ finest bowler on this tour, delivering the ball at velocity and outshining his beforehand extra fancied teammates.
Already up 2-Zero within the three-Take a look at collection, Australia have had extra issue off the sector than on it, with Matt Renshaw tested positive for COVID-19.
Recalled to the Take a look at staff on Wednesday morning after 4 years out, the Queenslander reported feeling unwell earlier than the beginning of play.
He has since saved his distance from his teammates, however at this stage plans to proceed within the Take a look at whereas batting at No.6.
Peter Handscomb has been listed as an emergency fielder for the match, with him and Marcus Harris potential choices to switch Renshaw underneath ICC guidelines if he’s too unwell.
