Australia are midway to victory within the third and final Test against South Africa however a 3-Zero sequence win seems unlikely, with simply 4 hours of play left on Sunday.
Pat Cummins enforced the follow-on after Nathan Lyon, who missed out twice within the house of minutes to umpire’s calls on assessment, took the ultimate wicket of the Proteas’ first innings.
WATCH IN THE VIDEO ABOVE: Trent Copeland assesses SCG pitch breaking down on day 5.
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Lyon first thought he had Simon Harmer to place South Africa 9 wickets down within the 104th over however Hawkeye confirmed the ball was spinning too far.
Two overs later the batsman was once more trapped however a assessment sided with the umpire on influence and once more on the ball lacking the stumps.
Harmer was lastly dismissed when Josh Hazlewood, who had earlier ended Keshav Maharaj’s resistance on 53 runs, had the South African edging on to his stumps within the 107th over.
Lyon wrapped up the innings within the following over when he caught Kagiso Rabada off his personal bowling, Australia immediately opting to bowl once more.
MATCH CENTER: Follow live with all the stats and ball-by-ball commentary from Australia’s hunt for victory
Whereas the choice to shake up the XI may come again to hang-out the hosts, the rain could have remained the best barrier to victory.
However the use and bowling of Ashton Agar in his comeback Check has additionally come beneath query after his choice doubled as a warm-up for subsequent month’s India tour.
He bowled 14 wicketless overs in South Africa’s first innings to Lyon’s 40 whereas Travis Head was given seven overs and struck as soon as.
Agar was, nonetheless, used to open the bowling within the Proteas’ second innings.
He discovered one edge however conceded 17 runs to Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee in his first two overs – earlier than bowling a maiden in his third.
“Ashton Agar stands tall, he retains his physique language up, he retains a smile on his face, he loves enjoying the sport,” Channel 7 commentator Justin Langer mentioned.
“There’s been occasions previously the place he simply drops his physique language. He can’t afford to try this at this time. He is enjoying Check cricket for his nation, he is at his finest when he is having enjoyable.
“If he relaxes – he’ll preserve hitting that pizza (harmful space on the pitch), don’t fret about that.”
A win for Australia will wrap up their spot in June’s World Check Championship ultimate.
In any other case, they might want to draw or win one of many 4 Assessments in India subsequent month or hope New Zealand don’t lose each of their residence Assessments to Sri Lanka in March.
– with AAP
