Australia v Pakistan, SCG Test: Day two rain farce highlights Test cricket’s biggest problem
If Test cricket does die, blood will stain the hands of the arrogant administrators who are killing the game. And it was there for all to see on a grim day two at the SCG, writes Julian Linden.
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If Test cricket does die, it won’t because of disease or old age.
The likely cause will be first-degree murder, with blood staining the hands of the arrogant administrators who are killing the game through their sheer incompetence.
How many times does it need to be said - but if Test cricket is to survive in the 21st Century it needs to come to the realisation that it is in the entertainment business.
Other sports have already figured that out but seemingly not Test cricket, which finds itself on life-support because its administrators are stuck in a time-warp.
Their unforgivable crime is that they keep ignoring the golden rule of show biz - that the show must always go on.
The sight of the Australian and Pakistan teams being told to leave the Sydney Cricket Ground wicket on Thursday because of the sport’s archaic bad light rules was pathetic.
Although it rained later, valuable time was wasted. And worse still, another part of the game died as thousands headed to the turnstiles in frustration.
It wasn’t just another nail in the game’s coffin - it was a slap in the face to the spectators who had turned up to celebrate the retirement of one of the game’s great performers.
The preposterous law that ruined the party might have been justified when WG Grace was padding up for England but has no place in the modern game.
Test cricket has some great traditions that are worth preserving but the bad light rule isn’t one of them.
It’s just plain dumb and should be buried forever because none of the lame arguments for sticking with it hold water anymore.
It’s a complete myth that visibility is a problem in sport where competitors regularly play at night, using red, white or pink balls.
This is especially the case at the SCG, a truly magnificent blend of old and new where the stadium floodlights are so bright, you can see the glow from the western suburbs.
And that old wive’s tale about looking after the safety of batters just doesn’t cut it when the spinners are operating from both ends.
There’s simply no valid excuse for halting matches because of bad light - but the timing of this latest debacle could not be worse.
At the same time Test cricket is under intense pressure to retain relevance in a fast-moving world, the game had a rare chance to pause and celebrate the departure of Dave Warner.
The crowds turned out in huge numbers and were in a festive mood before the killjoys got involved and brought proceedings to an unnecessary halt.
The breathtaking ignorance of cricket administrators is the game’s biggest risk.
The game desperately needs bums on seats yet when they do turn out, they get turned away.
If they keep treating punters like mugs, it won’t be long before they stop coming.
It’s not the fault of the SCG. The old girl has never looked better but the stadium’s custodians don’t make the ludicrous rules.
The real danger is to the longest form of the game because fans have other choices.
A day at the cricket is not cheap, especially for ordinary Australian families battling to pay their grocery bills.
Caterers Merivale charge $21.50 for a burger and chips and up to $13.60 for a plastic schooner of draught beer.
The least they deserve for parting with their hard-earned is for the game to proceed. If Test cricket doesn’t change, it will be lost forever.
RE-LIVE THE BLOG FROM THE SECOND DAY’S PLAY BELOW
By Joe Barton
4.36PM: STUMPS CALLED AS RAIN ROCKS SCG TEST
The umpires have seen enough. The umbrellas are staying firmly up, and play will not resume tonight.
Australia will resume at a revised start time of 10am tomorrow, weather permitting of course – although it looks much better for the remainder of the five days.
A total of 44 overs have been lost to the bad light and rain today, after play was halted midway through the middle session with Marnus Labuschagne on 23 and Steve Smith unbeaten on six.
The story of the day, of course, was David Warner falling for 34 in his farewell Test. After being given the gift of a second chance by debutant Saim Ayub – who shelled a sitter at first slip – Warner was given a standing ovation by the SCG crowd when he fell not all that long after.
Join us again tomorrow, as there’s a lot of cricket left to be played this Test!
4.25PM: THE RAINY TEST DOES IT AGAIN
Now, this certainly isn’t a full lost day’s play - nearly two sessions were completed before bad light, and then rain, intervened.
But it is worth reviving this statistic from cricket stats guru Ric Finlay which highlights just how rain-affected the Sydney Test has become.
It makes for grim reading.
Washed out Test days since 1877:
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) January 5, 2017
Perth 0
Hobart 2
Adelaide 2
MCG 6 (not including 1971 washout => ODI)
Brisbane 8
Sydney 24#AusvPak
4.10PM: TEST GREAT’S GLIMMER OF HOPE FOR WARNER’S LOST CAP
It’s still raining – and much more heavily, now – at the SCG, and the prospect of getting back on imminently is nonexistent.
So, take the time to read the latest on the saga of David Warner’s stolen baggy green caps. Namely, the glimmer of hope that comes from Test great Ian Healy who endured a similar situation.
Only his had a happy ending.
By Ben Horne
David Warner’s disappearing baggy green cap may be gone forever, or it might just turn up in the most unusual place.
Ask Ian Healy.
The uncanny theft of Warner’s beloved caps on the eve of his farewell Test match, prompted Healy to recall the bizarre story of how his baggy was stolen – and then magically returned.
Harry Solomons, the owner of Sydney cricket store institution Kingsgrove Sports – and renowned memorabilia collector – had a bloke walk into his shop one day in the mid-1990s claiming to have Ian Healy’s baggy green.
Solomons asked the man how he’d obtained such a possession and he claimed Healy had given it to him over the fence at the SCG.
Believing the man’s story, Solomons paid him $1000 for the cap and duly put it on display in the public museum in his Kingsgrove store.
WANT TO KNOW HOW THE TALE ENDS? READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
3.30PM: CHANCES OF FURTHER PLAY FADING
The crowd has dwindled significantly over the past half an hour – whether that means they’ve retired to nearby bars, either inside or outside the ground, I’m not sure.
But looking up at the sky doesn’t fill you with confidence.
The clouds have set in, and while the rain is very light it is fairly persistent.
3.10PM: IT GETS WORSE – COVERS OUT ON SCG
Forget the bad light, worse could be about to hit the SCG.
The groundstaff, presumably having looked at the radar, have brought out the heavy covers and completely covered the pitch and surrounding areas.
That’s normally a worrying sign, as far as getting a resumption of play is concerned…
To my eye, it’s actually brightened up a touch at the ground but that could be a bit of optimism on my party.
3.00PM: TEA ENDS, DELAY CONTINUES
The tea break – brought forward due to the poor light – has concluded, but the players are nowhere to be seen.
The umpires have come out to do another inspection, but it’s fair to say the light situation has not improved to the point where play can resume.
In a worrying sign, the groundstaff has brought out the light hessian cover and placed it next to the pitch.
It is not raining – yet – but it is forecast for later this afternoon. And it could be closing in on the SCG.
Update: The hessian cover is now covering the pitch, and umprellas are starting to go up around the ground. The rain could soon be upon us.
2.40PM: EARLY TEA TAKEN AMID DARK SKIES
It’s not getting any lighter here at the SCG, as we wait for the clouds to get blown away.
Play was halted just under 20 minutes ago, and umpires have brought forward the tea time to 2.40pm, opening the door for a longer final session and potentially minimising the lost time.
Australia are 2-116 at the tea break.
2.25PM: PLAY HALTED FOR BAD LIGHT
The dark clouds have won – with play momentarily halted due to poor light.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne didn’t hesitate in leaving the ground, while Pakistan’s players were far more upset.
The floodlights have been switched on for some time, and it has become decidedly gloomy, but it is still a surprise to see play halted. Australia are 2-116.
Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood was offered the opportunity to bowl spin, but that was rejected.
2.15PM: ‘WHAT’S WRONG WITH THEM?’ AUSSIE GO-SLOW ROASTED
Australia have taken the slow route in reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 313, and it’s earned the ire of Pakistani great Wasim Akram.
While Pakistan scored at a lively four runs an over under bright skies on Wednesday, Australia have crawled along at a runrate of little more than 2.5.
Usman Khawaja was dismissed for 47, having faced 143 deliveries. Marnus Labuschagne is also striking the ball at around 35.
It’s been slow going, and Akram is not impressed.
“What’s wrong with them? They’re not batting on a minefield,” Akram said on Fox Cricket.
“The ball is not turning. It’s a good pitch, the spinners are not bowling exceptionally well but the runrate is 2.51.
“They’re not even trying to play. Usman Khawaja was well set but was just blocking everything, and if you do that you’re going to get a good delivery – and he got one in the end.”
2.10PM: KHAWAJA’S SCG STREAK COMES TO AN END
- Lachie McKirdy
Usman Khawaja’s incredible streak of centuries at the SCG came to an end on Thursday after he was caught behind for 47 just after lunch.
The opener’s Test career received a new lease of life when he was brought back into the Australian side for the fourth match of the 2021-22 Ashes at the same venue, but he couldn’t repeat his same heroics.
Khawaja started the innings looking for a fourth-consecutive century at his home ground where he made his Test debut 13 years ago.
However, he was brought undone after Aamir Jamal got him to tickle one down the legside.
The good news for Khawaja is that he still holds the record as the most consistent batter to ever take guard at the SCG in Tests.
Of all batters to have played 10 or more Test innings at the venue, Khawaja has the best average, currently sitting at 118.85. And only Ricky Ponting (six) has scored more than Khawaja’s four centuries on the ground.
2.05PM: WICKET! AUSSIES LOSE A SECOND
Usman Khawaja is gone! Strangled down the legside for 47 after a patient – and occasionally painful – innings.
Aamir Jamal gets the scalp, adding to his impressive haul this series, with a short ball that Khawaja gloves through to Rizwan behind the stumps.
Umpire Gough is unmoved, but the decision is overturned on review as HotSpot is Khawaja’s undoing.
Australia now 2-108 and could find themselves under pressure unless this partnership of Labuschagne and Smith can get it going.
1.55PM: ‘SOMETHING WRONG’ – 23 WICKETS FALL IN ONE DAY
While Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne are enjoying pristine batting conditions in the middle of the SCG, it’s worth reflecting on the carnage that took place in South Africa overnight.
Australia are 1-107, something that batsmen at Newlands would’ve begged for last night.
An extraordinary 23 wickets fell on the first day’s play in the second Test between India and South Africa, prompting South African batting consultant Ashwell Prince to declare ‘there was something wrong’.
Read the full report on the carnage here.
1.45PM: SLOW-GOING AUSSIES CRACK A TON
That’s the 100 up for Australia, brought up half an hour after the lunch break.
It’s been a hard graft for the Australian top order, with the runrate hovering around 2.5 an over, but they’re slowly chipping away at Pakistan’s first innings total. They trail by 213.
Usman Khawaja, the SCG specialist, is inching his way towards yet another half-century at the famous ground while Marnus Labuschagne has been patient at the other end to be unbeaten on 18.
1.35PM: ‘IT WORKS’: AUSSIE BOUNCER STARTEGY FINDS ALLY
We’ve heard plenty of criticism of Australia’s tactics towards the Pakistan tailend – criticism which harks back to similar tactics used during the Ashes last year.
But cricket commentator Adam Collins posed an argument for its defence on the Final Word cricket podcast, which he hosts with Geoff Lemon.
Australia had Pakistan on the ropes at 9-227 before Aamir Jamal (82) and Mir Hamza (7) added 86 for the 10th wicket to drastically change the mood in both dressing rooms at the end of day one.
Australia’s strategy was heavily reliant on short-pitched bowling from their trio of star quicks, while stacking the boundary with fielders with Jamal on strike.
But, while admitting it ‘wasn’t pretty’, Collins offered a different view as to why Australia stubbornly stuck with the tactic.
“They took 5-18 exclusively with short balls at the MCG last week and 4-37 to this point where that partnership started (on day one at the SCG),” Collins said.
“I agree it’s not pretty, we’ve talked about it so many times in 2023.
“(But) it’s not just Australia that has arrived at this conclusion, they all do it.
“And there’s a reason they all do it - more often than not it is effective. This isn’t some ‘let’s not their blocks off’ flex, they know their numbers tell them it works.”
1.20PM: PAKISTAN WOES CONTINUE WITH INJURED PACEMAN
Hasan Ali grabbed at the bottom of the shin, in the ankle region, in the minutes after the lunch break.
The experienced international quick immediately limped from the field, leaving Pakistan a bowler down early in the middle session.
“It doesn’t look good at all, I’m afraid,” offers Ian Smith on Fox Cricket.
Ali didn’t bowl particularly well earlier on Thursday, but with Australia’s batsmen looking to make the most of a flat wicket Pakistan will certainly need all of their arsenal at their disposal.
Otherwise it is going to leave a huge responsibility on the shoulders of spin duo Sajid Khan and Agha Salman.
1.10PM: CLOUDS RETURN, PAKISTAN LOSE KEY BOWLER
The atmosphere at the SCG has changed considerably in the lunch break – the winds have picked up, and brought across considerable cloud cover.
The predicted storms, due to hit mid-afternoon, could be on their way.
What shaped as a dream batting session as the ball softened might be a little more uncomfortable for the Australians, who start the session 235 runs in arrears.
Usman Khawaja, who loves batting at the SCG, has played a chanceless knock so far to be unbeaten on 35, while Marnus Labuschagne is unbeaten on 3 – determined to put a below-par 2023, by his standards, behind him.
Pakistan have some woes, however, with Hasan Ali forced from the field in the first handful of balls after the break with an injury.
1PM: GREEN BACKED TO REPLACE WARNER
With David Warner’s Test career all but over, attention has turned to his replacement.
It’s long looked like a shootout between Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Matthew Renshaw but momentum is gathering behind all-rounder Cameron Green.
Ahead of the Sydney Test, captain Pat Cummins said he would be comfortable with a non-specialiast opener replacing Warner, and on Thursday former selector Mark Waugh threw his voice behind Green.
“I’m going Cameron Green,” Waugh said on Fox Cricket when asked to elect his Warner replacement. “Got to get him in the team. He offers with the ball, in the field.
“He could be a bit like Shane Watson, he batted down the middle then he opened the batting for Australia.
“He’s a good player of fast bowling, I feel he gets a bit nervous sitting around all day so get him in against the new ball. He’s got a sound technique, big tall boy, I’m going with him.”
Former England opener Michael Vaughan backed Waugh’s call.
“Cameron Green for me plays the quicks well, he is a better player when the spinner comes on then starting against spin, and I think he’s a world class performer,” Vaughan said. “Opening the batting, like Shane Watson, could further his career”
12.30PM: AUSSIES LOSE WARNER, REACH LUNCH
David Warner day has been ruined, but it could still be Australia’s day.
The hosts are 1-78 at lunch, with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 35 and Marnus Labuschagne on 3.
But the story of the morning was the exit of David Warner, who departed for 34 having been gifted a second chance by Pakistan’s sloppy fielders.
He walked off to a standing ovation from the SCG crowd, not knowing whether he will bat again in Test cricket.
For that to happen Australia’s batsmen must cash in in a big day on a placid SCG deck, but that’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
Khawaja and Labuschagne will resume after lunch with a mountain of runs in their sights. There will be very little wiggle room for Pakistan – they simply must get everything right, and walk away with a hatful of wickets if they are to avoid a series sweep.
12.10PM: WICKET! WARNER GONE!
A wicket! David Warner Day comes to an early end, 20 minutes before lunch.
Salman gets the turn and bounce and squares Warner up, coming off the splice of the bat and flying to first slip where Babar Azam takes an excellent diving catch.
Warner’s innings comes to an end on 34.
Warner gets a standing ovation from the Sydney crowd, acknowledging his stature in the game – could that be the last time we see him bat in Test cricket? It’s unlikely, but it is possible.
11.50AM: ‘BAT AS LONG AS YOU CAN’ – RUNS FLOWING FOR AUSTRALIA
There’s a lot of talk – as there often is – about how dangerous the SCG pitch could be for the spin bowlers on both sides later in the Test.
But the way Usman Khawaja is batting suggests that spin is not the biggest factor, just yet.
He’s danced down the wicket to Sajid Khan a number of times in the one over, thumping him over long on for four to nudge towards a 50-run partnership between he and Warner.
Having navigated the trickier conditions in the first half hour, it looks like conditions will open up to be wonderful for batting today.
And as I type that, Warner punches out another two runs onto the onside to bring up the 50-run opening stand.
“I think it’s going to be a ‘bat as long as you can scenario’ for Australia,’ once this ball gets soft there’s not going to be a lot of bite in the pitch… the runs will come,” says Mark Waugh.
11.35AM: ROUGH START FOR PAKISTAN
It’s drinks on in the first session on day two and it’s been a bit of the same old story for Pakistan.
A promising start from Australia’s openers could’ve been snuffed out by the simplest of catches, but instead the visitors entered the drinks break in a foul mood after Saim Ayub’s terrible drop off David Warner.
Australia are 0-39, with Warner on 21 and Khawaja 16 – but the retiring star should be back in the sheds.
Warner was dropped on 20 at first slip, a point which is sure to frustrate captain Shan Masood.
“We’ve done some really good work, put the ball in the right areas, created an opportunity which we didn’t grab and that’s been the story for us this series,” Masood told Fox Cricket.
“When you bowl well, you create opportunities, you need to grab onto your chances and unfortunately we’ve let go of another one.”
11.20AM: DROPPED! WARNER GETS A LIFE
Pakistan are playing their role on David Warner day, with debutant Saim Ayub spilling the simplest of chances at first slip.
With Warner on 20, he edged Aamir Jamal to first slip where Ayub made a mess of the catch that would’ve silenced the partisan crowd at the SCG.
Instead, they groaned in unison as the shocking drop was replayed on the big screen.
“That’s as easy as it gets at first slip,” says Adam Gilchrist on Fox Cricket.
Australia are now 0-31… and how likely is that to cost Pakistan dearly?
“Quite possibly the worst feeling you can have on the cricket field,” adds Michael Hussey.
11.10AM: ‘PREDICTABLE’ AUSSIE TACTICS SAVAGED BY GREATS
Australia’s tail-ender tactics have come under fire, after they let Pakistan off the hook late on day one with a relentless short-ball barrage as Aamir Jamal record a career-best 82.
Pakistan were on the ropes at 9-227 before a final wicket partnership pushed them to a far more respectable total of 313.
Australia stuck with its preferred lower-order plan of attack, which revolves around short-pitched bowling, but a reluctance to change things up was savaged by Pakistan great Wasim Akram and Australia’s Michael Hussey.
“It rarely works, that tactic,” Hussey said.
“You see the field all go back and they’re just hoping that the tailender makes a mistake.
“They’d done pretty well by looking to pitch the ball up, attack the stumps against the top order batsmen. You wonder why they went away from that against the tail end.”
Akram was mystified at why Australia’s pace attack of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood didn’t deviate from a tactic that wasn’t working.
“They became too predictable,” he said.
“They have three of the most experienced fast bowlers in world cricket – 200 plus wickets, one has 300 plus wickets.
“They should’ve been a plan B. Have square leg back, have point fielder back and attack the stumps.
“Tell Jamal to hit me straight, and then you have a chance. And the odd bouncer, but not every second ball short.”
Further effects of the 10th wicket stand could be felt deep into the Test match Hussey said.
“They managed to score runs very quickly, but they also kept the Australian bowlers out there for longer – making them bowl one extra spell, two extra spells,” he said.
“Which might take its toll as this match wears on.”
10.55AM: CRICKET AUSTRALIA UPDATE ON MISSING BAGGY GREEN
- Lachie McKirdy
The search for David Warner’s backpack containing his two baggy greens continues as he bats on the second day of the SCG Test.
After the bag went missing in transit from Melbourne, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley confirmed on Thursday morning that all hands are on deck to try and locate the caps.
“We haven’t given up yet but we keep our fingers crossed,” Hockley said on SEN Test Cricket.
“It’s a great mystery. It hasn’t turned up yet. Lots of people have been working very hard trying to look under every rock.
“I implore if anyone knows anything to come forward. It is the thing every kid aspires to wear. I do want to thank everyone who has been working hard to locate it.”
Hockley also paid tribute to Warner’s legacy as he comes to the end of his Test career and predicted that the dynamic opener won’t be lost to cricket.
“I think [his legacy] is massive and he’ll continue to make an immense contribution,” Hockley said.
“It’s been a great moment and week to reflect on his entire career. I think Andrew McDonald said it, our greatest all-format player ever.
“To be plucked straight into international cricket without playing any first-class cricket shows the prodigious talent that he is. He’s as fit as he’s ever been and [this week has] been a great opportunity to celebrate everything he’s achieved.”
10.45AM: CLOUDS CLEAR ON BATTING PARADISE
It was muggy and overcast half an hour ago, just before the start of play on day two, and it looked a little bit ominous for Australia’s openers.
But strong winds have blown some of the cloud cover away – which should ease concerns for David Warner and Usman Khawaja about the potential hooping ball from Pakistan’s paceman.
Mir Hamza has started strongly on Thursday, hitting the right areas and giving Australia’s batsmen very little, though Hasan Ali has been a touch more wayward.
But it now looks like a tremendous day for batting, should this pair get through the first half hour.
“It could be a long day for Pakistan,” offers Mark Waugh on Fox Cricket.
10.30AM: THE PIGEON AND THE GOAT
- Ben Horne
Glenn McGrath presented Nathan Lyon with his 500th-wicket ball before play on Thursday as he welcomed the champion off-spinner into his exclusive club.
Lyon joined McGrath and Shane Warne as the only Australian bowlers to have taken more than 500 wickets when he reached the rare milestone at the end of the first Test in Perth.
McGrath finished his illustrious career with 563 Test wickets and is resigned to the fact Lyon – currently 506 wickets – will ultimately knock off his record.
The big question is whether Lyon, 36, will be able to battle on long enough to challenge Warne’s immortal mark of 708 Test wickets.
Also before play on Thursday, Usman Khawaja was awarded ABC radio’s prestigious Alan McGilvray medal for another outstanding year where he stood out as the premier batsman in world cricket.
Khawaja was the only international batsman to post more than 1000 runs in Test cricket in 2023.
All eyes are on how he will perform on day two of the Sydney Test as he resumes his innings alongside his childhood mate, David Warner – in what is Warner’s farewell Test.
10:15AM MASSIVE SESSION LOOMS FOR AUSTRALIA
It’s David Warner day at the SCG today – but the weather gods may not have got the memo.
Because it’s humid and a touch overcast in Sydney this morning, prime conditions to get the ball to swing. And, armed with a ball that is one over old, Pakistan’s quicks will be licking their lips.
There are still plenty of runs in this wicket, as evidenced by Pakistan’s wonderful rear-guard action in the third session on day one.
And, according to Australian great Mike Hussey, someone from Australia must cash in today otherwise Pakistan will be in the box seat to win this Test.
“I think it’s a massive day for Australia. Australia have to bat well today and get a lead to put Pakistan under pressure,” Hussey said on Fox Cricket.
“Batting last on this pitch is not going to be easy at all. So they have to get a lead.
“I think it’s going to be a really good pitch for batting on today, especially once you get through the new ball.
“(But if) Pakistan have a big day and win today, I reckon they’re in the box seat to win this Test.”
10.00AM: REMEMBERING WARNER’S 100 IN A SESSION
- Lachie McKirdy
All eyes will be on David Warner as he takes to the SCG to bat on day two with a chance to sign off from his Test career in style.
And while he was lucky to survive a scare last night facing the spin of Sajid Khan, he will be looking to repeat his heroics from the last time Pakistan played a Test at the SCG on Thursday morning.
In 2017, Warner created history by scoring a century inside the first session of the New Year’s Test.
He reached triple figures off just 76 deliveries and brought his home crowd to their feet as he became the first player in 41 years to achieve the feat in Test cricket.
The contrasting nature of Warner’s knock was on full display with 20-year-old Matt Renshaw down the other end contributing just 19 runs by the time the century partnership had been reached.
Warner was dismissed just after lunch and finished his innings on 113 off 95 deliveries, including 17 fours.
Now in his 112th and final Test match, Warner averages 105.30 across seven matches at home against Pakistan. And with five centuries to his name against the visitors, he will be looking to finish his career with one more as Australia attempts to make inroads on Pakistan’s first innings total of 313.
9.30AM; CAPTAIN PAT IS ON HIS TRAIL
- Jacob Kuriype
Michael Vaughan’s prediction Pat Cummins would retire as Australia’s second greatest ever Test cricketer was among the big talking points on day one.
Ahead of play on day two, Kerry O’Keeffe weighed into the debate on Fox Cricket’s Test Cricket Daily.
As things stand, among fast bowlers O’Keeffe still has Cummins sitting second, sandwiched between Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lillee. However, he could see that changing imminently.
“My trifecta is McGrath one, Cummins two, Lillee three,” O’Keeffe said.
“But Pat has shrunk his Test bowling average down to 22.1. If he gets into the 21s, which he may well do in the immediate futrue he may get over the great Pidgeon because he’s an all-pitch bowler now and he seems to be getting better.
“His command of length, his command of movement, his read of the batter, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him bowl better than he has in the past couple of weeks.
“McGrath will be nervous. The captain Pat is on his trail.”
After his third consecutive five-wicket haul, Cummins’ Test numbers read 257 wickets at 22.13. McGrath took 563 at 21.64 across his 124 Test career and Lillee 355 at 23.92 across 132 Tests.
Day 2 Pitch Report. Looking dry with a few cracks - we have a game on our hands ðŸ
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 3, 2024
📺 Watch Day 2 #AUSvPAK on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports: https://t.co/AWMCJdccGJ
✠BLOG: https://t.co/Z0t0EVUQRQ
🔢 MATCH CENTRE: https://t.co/LJRxhcH2FCpic.twitter.com/f9WlO6LC9l
9.00AM: HOW WARNER RECONNECTED WITH HIS TRUE WORKING-CLASS-HERO SELF
- Ben Horne
Stories swirled around the SCG as David Warner took to his home ground for the very last time … like the one about how he banished the Bentley and took a Toyota.
The man from the housing commission flats in Matraville who became the multi-millionaire cricket superstar is part of the rich tapestry of his life.
When Warner and wife Candice first met manager to the stars James Erskine as he looked to rebuild his career after the Sandpapergate scandal, his new advisor had one piece of parting advice.
“As he was leaving, I realised he owned a Bentley. I said, ‘oh by the way, one last thing – lose the Bentley,” Erskine said on 3AW radio.
“Four days later he arrived in a Toyota truck, so I thought that was pretty impressive.”
Warner reconnected with the person he is – a working class hero – and on Wednesday those people he grew up with packed into the SCG to watch his farewell, as an all-time great of Test cricket.
Father Howard and mother Lorraine, brother Steve and dozens of family and friends gathered to watch ‘The Bull’ one last time amongst 33,905 Sydneysiders - the biggest day one crowd for a Pakistan Test at the SCG.
It was a family affair as Warner led his three daughters, Ivy, Indi and Isla out to the middle with him to sing the national anthems before play: the girls’ with ‘Warner 31’ emblazoned on the back of their matching whites.
And in the stands, was wife Candice, the rock of his life who inspired his extraordinary comeback from his lowest moment.
“I can’t praise Candice more highly. I have a lot of time for her,” Erskine said.
“To be brutally honest, I don’t think David would have got through it all and be the person he is if Candice hadn’t been his missus.”
Warner started day one of ‘Warner Week’ on a panel with his soon-to-be colleagues at Fox Cricket listening as actor Matt Nable gave a stirring narration of his incredible life’s journey.
“Let’s go have a beer now,” Warner said – but of course there was a job to do first.
Before play, Australian coach Andrew McDonald addressed his players privately in the SCG dressing rooms and paid tribute to Warner in front of his peers.
In McDonald’s opinion, as well as captain Pat Cummins’, Warner is the greatest three-format cricketer Australia has ever produced.
A highlights package was played and after the Test a farewell celebration party will be thrown in Warner’s honour for his teammates, family and friends.
Warner was forced to take to the field in a replacement baggy green, after Pakistan spoiled the party and decided to bat first.
Despite his emotional pleas for its return, the thieves who stole Warner’s baggy greens out of his luggage this week are still yet to come clean.
“I haven’t found my caps. As I said in my video, if you have got my back pack, I’ll give you my backpack, all I want is those baggy greens back. Please,” Warner said.
Father Howard took aim at the “scumbag” who had nicked his son’s most prized possessions.
“Whatever scumbag has taken it is going to have to lay it off very shortly,” Warner snr told SEN Radio.
“They’ll find it dumped somewhere. I know he’s emotional. He would love to walk out with that baggy green on but if he can’t, he can’t. What can you do?”
Originally published as Australia v Pakistan, SCG Test: Day two rain farce highlights Test cricket’s biggest problem
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