‘Petition to make the Sydney test timeless’ – Fans unhappy as rain ensures third Test between Australia and South Africa ends in dull draw
Australia Cricket Team (Image Credit: Twitter)
Australia and South Africa played each other in the third and last Test of the series in Sydney this week. The home team had already taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 after the first two games. On the other hand, the Proteas were looking to salvage their pride after losing the series and the chance to play the World Test Championship final 2021-23.
Meanwhile, talking about the game, the Aussies won the toss and elected to bat first. Aussie skipper Pat Cummins at the toss stated “It looks like a traditional SCG wicket. It might turn a bit so probably at its best on day one.” His decision proved right even though David Warner lost his wicket early in the game. Thanks to Usman Khawaja (195*), Marnus Labuschagne (79), and Steve Smith (104), the team reached 475/4.
Notably, the first two days were impacted by the rain. Khawaja might have completed his maiden double ton if not for rain spoiling the entire Day Three. With the team looking for a win, Cummins decided to declare the innings when the game was resumed on Day Four. Not to forget, almost half of the day was washed out due to rain.
Meanwhile, Khawaja was left stranded on 195. In reply, the Proteas once again struggled with the bat as it has been the case in the entire series. They lost seven wickets for 167 and it looked like the team will find a way of losing the game. However, thanks to Simon Harmer (47) and Keshav Maharaj (53), the team reached 255 all-out and ensured losing the game was out of the equation.
South Africa batted fairly well to ensure a dull draw
After being bundled out for 255, the Pat Cummins-led side decided to enforce a follow-on to have a chance at winning the game. However, thanks to dropped chances, a lack of overs, and Sarel Erwee’s innings of 40, the visitors ended the series with a draw. As they have lost the series, their chance of playing the WTC final is low.
This is how Twitter reacted
https://twitter.com/mrjoelsmith/status/1611973557193699330?s=20
— Gurdeep Singh (@flaming_deep) January 8, 2023
Petition to make the Sydney test timeless #AUSvSA
— Jono Venn | JVFTMedia.com (@jvftmedia) January 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/mikala_mc/status/1611973270756282374?s=20
My takes from the test match:
1) Agar has bowled himself out of an India tour spot
2) Sydney should become a pink ball test (fits into the McGrath foundation)
3) Ussie will do very well in india imo #AUSvSA— Hayden (@cashy_93) January 8, 2023
Only Australia could win 4-0 this summer and their fans still not be happy #AUSvSA
— Rylan Dawson (@Dawso26) January 8, 2023
Australia utterly dominant in this series. Thankfully the Proteas lower order saved them from what could have been a whitewash #AUSvSA
— Halsey Nim (@nimalen316) January 8, 2023
Australia need to make a call on 2nd and 3rd spinners for India tour. Ashton Agar not consistent/short on red ball cricket.
Some rough outside the left handers off stump and he rarely hit it.#AUSvSA
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) January 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/Frank_Bafentse/status/1611972970087317504?s=20
https://twitter.com/danbrettig/status/1611972884125319170?s=20
