AUS Vs SA 3rd Test Match: The Aussies are the favourites to win the 3rd and final red ball encounter against South Africa. The batters of the home side have been dominant once again and the Proteas bowlers have no answers to it.
However, South Africa picked up an early wicket of the last match double centurion. But still, there are miles behind in winning this Test match.
Usman Khawaja, the Australian Test opener has slammed a magnificent record at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 3rd Test match.
Steve Smith also continued his great form and scored a fine 104 runs while Marnus Labuschagne scored 79 runs and Travis Head slammed 70 runs. Australia is in a commanding position in the 3rd Test match at SCG.
The test opener from the Aussie nation, Usman Khawaja has continued his great form in the red ball matches.
In the 3rd and final red ball encounter against South Africa, Khawaja slammed his 13th century in Test match cricket and also become just the third Australian batsman to smash three back-to-back centuries at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
The first day of this Test encounter also belongs to Australia. The hosts scored 147 runs for the loss of just two wickets.
But the rains played a game of spoilsport as the first day ended early and Usman Khawaja was not out on 54 runs.
On the second day morning, Khawja reached his three-figure mark when he pulled a delivery from the Proteas pacer Kagiso Rabada for two runs.
Khawaja has been in tremendous form in the last twelve months. His great form in red ball cricket has allowed Australia to be dominant at home and that is why the Aussies have not lost any test matches under the captaincy of Pat Cummins.
In these twelve months, Usman Khawaja has scored five Test centuries in the red ball format. His form will also be key for Australia when they play a four-match Test series in India next month.
India’s VVS Laxman and two players from the host nation, Wally Hammond and Doug Walters are the ones who achieved this special at the Sydney Cricket Ground earlier.
Usman Khawaja had smashed a ton in both innings of the Ashes Test series against England at SCG. He scored 137 runs in the 1st innings and was not out on 101 runs in the second innings.
He is currently batting 195 runs against South Africa in the 3rd Test match and it would be interesting to see whether he gets a double ton on the third day or not.
The entire three-match Test series has been a disappointing one for South Africa. In the first Test match, the batters failed to put a fighting total on the board at the Gabba. But still, the bowlers did a decent job.
It has been the batting who have let the team down and that is the reason why The Proteas bowlers haven’t been effective in the second and the final Test match so far.
South Africa‘s only respite was that they picked up David Warnerm, for just ten runs. Warner had smashed a double century in the Boxing Day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and that Test was also the 100th Test encounter for David Dashing Warner.
Getting his wicket early was good. But South Africa didn't utilise that start as the Aussie batters piled up 475 runs on the second day as well.
