Australia vs South Africa live: Cricket farce slammed in ridiculous scenes

The age old cricket debate has once again reared its ugly head after the SCG was once against mocked for its unwanted record.

Australia’s shot at finishing the summer with a perfect 5-0 record appears to be up to the weather gods after day one of the third Test against South Africa was ruined by rain and poor light.

Only 47 overs were bowled in the day with Australia 2/147 at stumps.

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But the day was marred by he first poor light decision which threatens the Test.

It led to farcical scenes where the players were called off the field before the rain, and for some time after the rain moved on and the covers were removed because of the poor light.

Players were even ready to return but the light meter kept them off the field.

Then the players returned for just four overs — the last ball of which Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed by a brute of a delivery from Anrich Nortje.

The amount of time spend on the sidelines sparked the age old cricket debate over bad light and rain has continued.

After staying on the field despite sprinkles earlier in the day, bad light stopped play despite South Africa being asked to bowl their spinners to continue play and refusing.

The rain did come but it once again exposed the SCG’s ridiculous rain record.

The late great Shane Warne often grumbled about the weather in Sydney and even called for the SCG to swap its traditional New Years Test with the Gabba in Brisbane.

Although it won’t as Sydney and Melbourne are its biggest markets and hold the two prime positions on the Aussie cricket calendar.

Since 1877, Sydney has had 25 days of washed out Test cricket, which is 17 more than the next closest – Brisbane with 8.

In January, BOM climatologist Blair Trewin said: “Sydney has by far the most days of abandoned play of any Australian Test venue (although Brisbane has a higher percentage of abandoned one-day matches.”

Australia were 1/138 after accelerating from lunch. Photo: Getty Images

After the latest break, Mark Waugh said: “I’d like to change the rules.

“I’m saying once the lights are on, we stay on. Simple as that. Because with the pink ball we’d be on there. The ICC need to look at the crowd here, about 30,000 people here — did Australia look like they couldn’t see the ball?”

Alyssa Healy said it would be hard as the quick bowlers make it hard to see under lights.

Mark Howard asked if it’d be too much to ask for a pink ball to be thrown into the fray for conditions such as these.

“In cricket there’s a lot of tradition and history,” Waugh said. “And we don’t like to change things too often in cricket. I’d imagine if they’re not going to stay on when the lights are on, they’re not going to change the ball.”

After Healy called it a “travesty" to suggest it, Howard said: “Personally I don’t think it’s the way forward but I do feel for people who have paid a lot of money, they’ve come here excited to watch cricket. If it’s raining, it’s raining, but it’s not raining at the moment and we’re not playing cricket.”

Waugh said the issue was it was an outdoor sport and changed conditions happen.

“Now we’re waiting for the rain to come,” Waugh said.

Social media piled on the farcical scenes, calling it “just Sydney things”.

Rick Eyre added: “Bad light is just a prelude of what is to come I think”.

The BOM has showers forecast for the next three days.

Certainties in life.
Death, taxes, and the Sydney Test being delayed by rain or bad light. #AUSvSA

— Higgo (@Higgo74) January 4, 2023

Earlier it was revealed South African captain Dean Elgar was asked and declined to bring on his spinners, meaning the teams went off.

Kerry O’Keeffe said it was “curious”.

“I thought Harmer looked the most likely to take a wicket. Usman Khawaja, there’s a number of left-handers to come; Head, Renshaw, Carey,” he said.

“It was an opportunity to get Australia in batting and getting them out. And he said ‘no, I was going to bowl the quicker men, we’ll go off’.”

Australia dominated after losing David Warner for 10 early in the day.

Marnus Labuschagne sparked controversy when he nicked to first slip but the third umpire ruled the ball had hit the ground.

But he didn’t last much longer, dismissed for 79 to close out the day.

Usman Khawaja will start day two not out on 54 alongside Steve Smith, who made it to the crease before he was turned around for bad light.

5.02pm - Marnus gone for 79...and we’re off

Marnus Labuschagne is finally out for 79 after a ripsnorter of a delivery from Anrich Nortje.

Labuschagne had ridden his luck but was finally out to a ball that surprised him off the pitch.
The belter of a ball was claimed easily by Kyle Verreynne.
But bad light has been called again in ridiculous scenes after Elgar again declined to bowl his spinners just four overs after recommencement.

At least it also began to drizzle to make it worthwhile.

4.50pm - We’re finally back

There’ll be 30 more overs tonight or play until 7pm - whichever comes first.

3.30pm - Covers coming off as SCG farce continues

After a little over an hour off the field, play was set to continue but have been told to head back to the sheds over the bad light.

It’s sparked the age old cricket debate over bad light and rain has continued.

After staying on the field despite sprinkles earlier in the day, bad light stopped play despite South Africa being asked to bowl their spinners to continue play.

But after light saw the players leave the field, the ground staff began to put the covers on, despite it not raining yet.

Australia were 1/138 after accelerating from lunch. Photo: Getty Images

2.20pm — Play stopped for bad light

Bad news cricket fans — bad light has stopped play.

Usman Khawaja had not long ago brought up his 50 but it was deemed too dark for play to continue.

Unfortunately, the BOM has showers each day until Saturday.

2.05pm — Marnus dodges disaster

The catch has caused drama. Photo: Twitter

Marnus Labuschagne should go out and buy a lottery ticket — or maybe he’s just used it all up.

The World’s No. 1 batter has shown off his unnatural good luck once again, as cricket fans questioned whether he should have been given not out.

Facing Marco Jansen, a big edge was snaffled by Simon Harmer at first slip.

The catcher though it was out, the umpires thought it was out — only it was overturned by TV umpire Richard Kettleborough.

It was hard to tell and after similar catches being given out recently, Kettleborough believe the ball had bounced first.

“I’ve got the ball on the floor there,” Kettleborough said.

“THat’s going to disappoint the South Africans, they thought they had their man,” Adam Gilchrist said.

“I’m still convinced, he’s still convinced that he’s taken it,” Shaun Pollock added.

Mark Waugh added: “That could go either way, let’s be honest, it was tough to tell. From front on it looked probably out, but side on there was probably just a little bit of doubt there.”

Kerry O’Keeffe joked he’d receieved a text which said: “There was enough grass under than to feed a growing cow.”

Mike Hussey disagreed however.

“I feel the South Africans can feel quite aggreived there. The soft signal was out and I felt as though the ball landed on the fingers and he was able to scoop it up,” Hussey said.

Social media said Marnus was lucky to survive.

“Don’t see how that was a conclusive non-catch against Marnus. Lucky break,” sports broadcaster Daniel Garb wrote.

CODE Sports’ Daniel Cherny joked: “It’s nice to see Marnus get some luck for once”.

1.40pm - Marnus salutes after brilliant innings

Marnus Labuschagne is back to his run scoring ways after bringing up his half century shortly after lunch on the opening day.

Labuschagne joined Usman Khawaja at the crease early and duck in before he opened the shoulders up after the break and began plundering the South African spin attack to all parts of the SCG.

50 up for Marnus Labuschagne off 102 balls. Obviously.

In 56 innings in Test cricket he has passed 50 on 24 occasions. #AUSvSA

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 4, 2023

12.30pm - Aussies go to lunch at 1/68

After losing David Warner in the fourth over of the day, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja fought through the rest of the opening session.

In what is a promising sign for the Aussies who opted to go into the Test with only two fast bowlers, the South African spinners produced some promising signs on the opening morning.

Khawaja was beaten narrowly on the outside edge by a turning delivery on a dry SCG pitch that could produce some magic in the days to come.

11.15am — Renshaw returns positive Covid test

Matt Renshaw was included in the Australian XI for the third Test at the SCG, but before he’s even taken to the crease his place in the side is under a cloud.

After feeling unwell, Renshaw conducted a rapid Covid-19 test which returned a positive and sent shockwaves through the Australian camp.

During the national anthem Renshaw stood at a distance from his teammates with Adam Gilchrist stating he had reportedly been unwell.

“The word is that Renshaw’s not feeling 100 per cent today … and didn’t want to get too close and personal with his teammates,” Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.

News of his positive RAT test was confirmed by Cricket Australia at around 11am (AEDT).

Renshaw is set to continue in the team, but under ICC rules a Covid replacement is allowed for Australia.

“If during the course of the relevant match a player tests positive for COVID-19, displays COVID-19 symptoms...a COVID-19 Replacement may be permitted”

Peter Handscomb is listed on the Australian team sheet as the emergency fielder, he’ll be the replacement for Renshaw if required.

Keep ya distance. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

10.45am - Warner sent packing early

David Warner’s Melbourne luck has gone after the opener was given his marching orders in the fourth over the day in Sydney.

Anrich Nortje claimed the opening wicket of the third Test after luring Warner into a loose shot outside of off stump.

The nothing shot was snapped up at first slip giving South Africa the ideal start.

Edged and taken by Jansen in the slips!

Nortje gets Warner early #AUSvSApic.twitter.com/kgnOfP8kHV

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 3, 2023

10am - Australia win toss, elect to bat

Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to bat first with the Aussie skipper naming three changes to the team from the Boxing Day team as they look ahead to a tour in India.

“Looks more a traditional SCG wicket. It might turn a little bit, so probably at its best on day one. Scotty misses out. Probably as close as we’re going to get to India, so it’ll be good to see Agar have a go,” Cummins said.

Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

9:30am – SCG pitch ’never seen anything like it’

The SCG hasn’t been a kind playing ground for spinners in years gone by, but the curator has thrown up a dry wicket which could swing a key change.

Ashton Agar was promoted into the playing squad and with the Aussies looking to prepare for a tour of India, the pitch could be the perfect lead in for the spinner.

With injuries to Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green opening the door, the selectors also opted to leave out Scott Boland with Agar, Matt Renshaw and Josh Hazlewood being elevated.

Speaking before play Alyssa Healy couldn’t believe what she had seen after venturing out and running her eye over the SCG pitch.

“Going out and looking at the wicket a bit earlier, it’s really dry and could crumble pretty quickly. I’ve never seen anything like it in my lifetime,” she said on Fox Cricket.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if there is a lot of spin bowling in the Australian attack.”

Lyon checks out the wicket. (Image Supplied for Editorial Use only – Phil Hillyard )

Fox Cricket’s Kerry O’Keeffe said spin would play a key role.

“This could be a battle of the slow men,” he said on Fox Sports News.

“Everybody thought that this series may be won by the quicker men and it has been decided by the Australian fast men (so far) but in these next five days the slow men could come into their own.”

O’Keeffe said it was a huge test for Agar ahead of a tour of India in February.

“This is a Test trial for him … Agar has a big opportunity to be that second spinner to India,” he said.

“He’s become a T20 specialist - … and his numbers in T20 cricket are fantastic. His Test numbers are less so … he’s unproven and hasn’t played a Test for a number of years but they (Australian selectors) like the cut of his jib”