by Australia were frustrated that they didn’t have time to pursue victory in the rain-affected third Test against South Africa in the SCG, which ended in a draw on Sunday.
The hosts needed 14 wickets in the final day to secure the victory and cleanly sweep the three-game Test series, but were rejected despite Proteas bowling and pushing ahead.
South Africa were eliminated with 255 points shortly before tea, finishing their second innings 106-2. Australia needed nine goals in the final session, but in the end chose to shake hands with five extra.
Pat Cummins’ side has been disappointed after a series of unsuccessful reviews, including several LBW appeals from Nathan Lyon that returned the call from the referees.
Steve Smith was also denied a key catch in the match for the second time in the match by the third referee when Heinrich Klaasen approached the first slip from a frustrated Lyon in the second inning. Lyon bowled 40 first innings, taking 2-88 before walking away from 15 overs for 0-32 on the second inning.
South Africa will be pleased to show their fight on the last day after a disproportionate streak where Sarel Erwee (42no) and Temba Bavuma (17no) were undefeated.
The Tourists continued with Marco Jansen’s early dismissal at 149-6, lagging behind Travis Head, but Simon Harmer (47) and Keshav Maharaj (53) for a brave eighth minor partnership with 85 runs that stopped Australia’s victory effort got together. .
Australia had their luck, most notably when Head dropped a chance with Harmer caught and defeated from Maharaj, which took almost two hours.
Maharaj eventually fell LBW to Josh Hazlewood, who also claimed Harmer’s stronghold after two reviews were denied against him at Lyon 47.
After pushing the sequel, Cummins gave Australia hope when they caught opposing captain Dean Elgar 10 seconds behind by Alex Carey, but Proteas was stubborn enough to see the draw.
Khawaja receives his award
When Usman Khawaja declared victory on the fourth day after Cummins lost to rain on the third day, but was named Player of the Match, a shot was denied in the first double-face Test, rooted in 195.
Khawaja managed just 14 runs in his previous three innings against Proteas, taking two Tests before his big shot. Coincidentally, David Warner was named Player of the Series after his double century on the MCG Test, but other than that, he had only 13 more rounds in the other three innings.
Elgar battling as captain
Elgar endured a poor lap as he was sent off cheap by the leg in the second inning, highlighting the struggle he has had since taking over as South Africa captain from Quinton de Kock in March 2021. The opener only managed 56 laps over six circuits in this series.
