3rd Test, Sydney, January 04, 2023, 05:00 AM
Australia
475/4(131.0ov)
South Africa
255/10(108.0ov) & 106/2(41.5ov)
Australia drew with South Africa
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Usman Khawaja
Commentry
Pat Cummins calls his team members as the trophy is handed over to him. That concludes the presentation. The Aussie players pose for the camera. Clean-sweep from Australia. They are certainly in the finals of the World Test Championship, not yet but certainly. That is all from us. Hope you enjoyed the coverage. An action-packed cricketing schedule is lined up. Keep checking the schedule page. Till then, it is goodbye and cheers!
Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia says the wicket was good and hoped for wickets in this match. Adds it was a really good batting surface but his team gave all. Applauds the performance of Lyon. Tells it was pleasing to see everyone contribute with bat and ball. On the tour against India, says they will regroup and are looking forward to it. Reckons he is happy with his performance.
Dean Elgar, the skipper of South Africa says it is never easy to play against the Aussies. Adds the message was to fight till the end. Shares there were learning for many players. Credits to Pat Cummins and his team for how they played. Adds there are many positives from this series. Says Test cricket teaches resilience to wake up the next day and fight again. Tells it was a rollercoaster of a series. Says he is short of runs but hopes to comeback strong.
David Warner wins the PLAYER OF THE SERIES award. The opener says it was a fantastic performance from the whole team but credits the bowler to showcase intent in this match and go for the win. Applauds the performance of Anrich Nortje and how the Proteas played. Shares that they tried their best but South Africa's tail-enders hold on. On the next tour to India, he says it is a massive challenge and they are looking forward to it.
Usman Khawaja wins the Player of the Match. He feels there have been ups and downs in his career, it's been tough at times but rewarding on the other side as well. Says patience was key on this pitch. On missing the double-ton, he says it is about winning and Australia showed it is team first every time. He says South Africa played well, they are a tough team to beat.
...Presentation coming up...
Steven Smith is up for a chat. He says they tried to win but few of the umpire's calls didn't go their way. Feels things could have been different. Shares that he cannot do much about the catches which went upstairs to check. Tells he is happy to score some runs before going to India.
No doubt Australia were the better team with both bat and ball. In the first match at the Gabba, on a tricky pitch, the bowlers made the most of it but it was Travis Head's counterattacking approach which was the difference. At Melbourne, we saw Cameron Green take five wickets but the star of the game was David Warner who scored 200. Fine contributions from Smith, Head and Green and Carey's 100 helped Australia win by an innings. Green and Starc missed out on the last match due to injuries but there was no short of intent from the Aussies.
Australia gave a hefty target and Pat Cummins and co. gave their all from the word go with the ball. South Africa were in a sort of trouble at one stage but contributions from Bavuma, Zondo and later fifty from Keshav Maharaj and a fine knock from Simon Harmer steadied the ship. It was the pace duo of Cummins and Hazlewood who claimed wickets together. Australia with less than 50 overs to play on the final day enforced follow-on, hoping for a miracle and looking for a win but the Proteas batters in their second innings showed great resilient to conclude with a draw.
Rain played a big part in the game or else there was definitely a winner with the tides more often to the host's shore. Australia made a good decision by batting first. Usman Khawaja was the architect of their batting with Marnus Labuschagne, Smith and Head playing hand from the other side. Usman Khawaja though was left stranded on 195 as the rain came in and swiped more than four sessions.
Draw it is! A fair result in the end! We feel the stand between Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer concluded this into a draw. However, till the last hour, Australia pushed for the win. The Aussie bowlers gave their all but it was just too big an ask from them. Australia win the series by 2-0 up.
In over# 42
1nb
0
0
3nb
0
1
0
Marnus Labuschagne 9/0(2.5)
41.6
1nb
No ball! Full and on off, pushed to covers. It is called a no ball however Pat Cummins had enough and calls the end. THE MATCH IS DRAWN. AUSTRALIA WIN THE SERIES.
41.5
.
This is full and outside off, spins in. Sarel Erwee pads it away.
41.4
.
Around off, pushed to point.
41.4
3nb
Full toss, slanting on off, Erwee pulls it flat to deep mid-wicket. The ball slows down in the deep and the batters run three runs. No ball as Marnus Labuschagne overstepped.
41.3
.
This is full and around off, defended out.
41.2
1
Short and outside off, Bavuma knocks it through point for one.
41.1
.
On off, defended out.