Australia's Usman Khawaja celebrates reaching another century in Sydney in the third Test against South Africa
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Khawaja near to scoring double century as Australia dominates South Africa
Usman Khawaja was on the verge of scoring a double-century when rain interrupted the Australia-South Africa match in the third Sydney Test on Thursday, causing him to fall short of his goal.
Match Summary
Australia *475/4 (131 ov)
South Africa
Day Break : Day 2 Australia won the toss and elected to bat
On another dominant day for the Australian team, who had already won the series, Khawaja scored an impressive and undefeated 195, his highest Test score. Additionally, Steven Smith scored his 30th century, surpassing Don Bradman's century milestone.
At the end of the second day, which was shortened due to rain, Australia had scored 475 runs for the loss of four wickets. Matt Renshaw, who tested positive for Covid-19 at the beginning of the match, was not out on five runs.
On another demoralizing day for South Africa, the Australian team continued to score runs at a steady pace.
Khawaja and Smith had a partnership of 209 runs, and Travis Head added to the Australian team's momentum with a quick 70 runs off of 59 balls. These performances put South Africa in a difficult position, as they tried to prevent Australia from achieving a series whitewash.
Khawaja exceeded his previous highest score of 174, which he made against New Zealand in Brisbane in 2015, with his impressive 195 runs in this match.
Smith surpassed Don Bradman's record of 29 Test hundreds with a graceful pull shot off of Anrich Nortje, sending the ball to the boundary ropes and earning himself a century off of 190 balls in his home town.
However, Smith was dismissed just two balls later for 104 when he hit a catch back to Keshav Maharaj, who took his first wicket of the series.
During this match, Smith also surpassed Michael Clarke's record to become Australia's fourth-highest Test run scorer, with a total of 8,647 runs. He is now behind only Ricky Ponting, Allan Border, and Steve Waugh in terms of total Test runs scored for Australia.
Smith has now scored 30 Test centuries for Australia, which is the second-most in the country's history behind only Ricky Ponting (41) and Steve Waugh (32). In terms of Test batting average, Smith is second only to the legendary Don Bradman (99.94) with an average of 60.89 in his 92nd Test match.
Throughout the match, Khawaja consistently scored runs and achieved his third consecutive Test century in Sydney. When play was called to a close due to rain with 14 overs left, he had faced 368 balls and hit 19 fours and a six.
Before lunch, Khawaja celebrated reaching another century by dancing a jig after hitting two runs through deep square off of Kagiso Rabada. This century was especially significant because it was scored at Khawaja's most productive ground, where he had an average of 98 going into this Test.
This century followed Khawaja's twin centuries against England in the corresponding Sydney Test from the previous year.
"I grew up here just up the road and my family is here watching, I have friends out in the crowd, it's always an honour to score runs here," Khawaja said.
"It's a slow wicket and if we get good weather it will definitely break up and first innings runs will be crucial."
Only Wally Hammond of England, Doug Walters of Australia, and VVS Laxman of India have previously scored three consecutive Test centuries at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Travis Head scored a quick half-century in his typical aggressive style before being caught on the ropes by substitute fielder Rassie van der Dussen off of Rabada's bowling.
Australia had already secured the three-match series after overwhelming South Africa by an innings and 182 runs in Melbourne, following their six-wicket victory in the opening match in Brisbane that concluded in just two days.
In this one-sided three-Test series, Australia has scored 1,303 runs while losing 26 wickets, for an average of 50 runs per wicket. In contrast, South Africa has scored 644 runs and lost 40 wickets, for an average of 16.1 runs per wicket.
In addition to attempting to achieve a series whitewash, Australia is also trying to secure a place in the ICC World Test Championship final, which will be held in London in June.
Match Stats
Australia 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
Playing XIs
Australia: Alex Carey (WK), Steven Smith, David Warner,, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Matt Renshaw, Travis Head, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa: Kyle Verreynne (WK), Heinrich Klaasen, Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Sarel Erwee, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Simon Harmer
Match Details:
Date: Tuesday, January 3, 2023 23:30
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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