Players shake hands at the close of the drawn third Test in Sydney
©AFP
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3rd Test ends in draw and Australia win series 2-0 against South Africa
As anticipated, the SCG Test match ended in a draw due to the influence of the weather. The first three days of the match were severely affected by rain, with the third day being completely washed out.
Match Summary
Australia 475/4d (131 ov)
South Africa 255/10 (108 ov) & 106/2 (41.5 ov)
Match Drawn
After the third day was completely washed out, both teams tried to get a result in the remaining time, but the pitch made it difficult for Australia to take all 20 wickets.
Earlier in the game, Australia declared their innings at 475/4, with Usman Khawaja remaining not out on 195. He was on track to score a double century, but rain and the declaration by Cummins prevented him from doing so. This was surely a disappointment for Khawaja, who recorded his highest individual score in Tests.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith also scored runs during the game. Smith went on to surpass Sir Don Bradman by scoring his 30th Test century. It was a great summer for Labuschagne, who is currently one of the best Test batsmen in the game.
In response, South Africa struggled and was eventually dismissed for 255, with Harmer and Maharaj helping to improve the score after another batting collapse.
Hazlewood was the standout player, taking four wickets and impressing upon his return to the team.
As expected, Australia enforced the follow-on on the final day, but they were unable to get a result as time was not on their side. South Africa managed to hold on for a draw.
"Touring Australia is never easy," Elgar said. "The message to the group yesterday was to fight it out on day five.
"Only three or four guys have played here before, so there are a lot of learnings. It is a tough place to tour, maybe the toughest in the world.
"Test cricket teaches you resilience. When things aren't on your side, you still have to wake up and try again."
- Lyon distraught -
Asked about his feelings on being stranded short of his first Test double-century by the declaration, Khawaja said: "I would have loved to get a double ton.
"But this is what cricket is about. You play for milestones but you also need to do the best for the team."
Australia opener Usman Khawaja was named man-of-the-match for his unbeaten 195 in Australia's first innings declaration of 475-4.
Fellow opener David Warner was man-of-the-series, based largely on his double century in Melbourne.
Australia won the series 2-0, having dominated throughout.
Match Stats
Australia 1st Innings Fall of wickets: 1-12 (David Warner - 3.4 ov), 2-147 (Marnus Labuschagne - 46.6 ov), 3-356 (Steven Smith - 109.1 ov), 4-468 (Travis Head - 128.3 ov)
South Africa 1st Innings Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Dean Elgar - 8.5 ov), 2-37 (Sarel Erwee - 17.5 ov), 3-37 (Heinrich Klaasen - 18.3 ov), 4-85 (Temba Bavuma - 38.1 ov), 5-135 (Khaya Zondo - 48.4 ov), 6-142 (Kyle Verreynne - 52.4 ov), 7-172 (Marco Jansen - 73.6 ov), 8-252 (Keshav Maharaj - 100.4 ov), 9-255 (Simon Harmer - 106.6 ov), 10-255 (Kagiso Rabada - 107.6 ov)
South Africa 2nd Innings Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Dean Elgar - 8.1 ov), 2-75 (Heinrich Klaasen - 26.6 ov)
Playing XI:
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (WK), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (C), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa: Dean Elgar (C), Sarel Erwee, Heinrich Klaasen, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Simon Harmer.
Match Details:
Date: 2023-01-03 23:30:00
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Toss: Australia won the toss & elected to bat
Officials: Umpires: Chris Gaffaney (New Zealand), Paul Reiffel (Australia), Richard Kettleborough (England TV)
Match Referee: Richie Richardson (West Indies)
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