Centuries from Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith have the Australians in a terrific position heading into a decisive Day 3 at the SCG with weather and bad light proving South Africa’s most effective weapon against a scarily in-form Australian batting lineup thus far.
Australia started the day at 2-for-149 with Khawaja (55*) and Smith (0*) at the crease and the pair picked up where the side left off from Day 1.
Their partnership reached 50 rather quickly as Khawaja motored towards yet another Test ton.
A pull shot off Kagiso Rabada saw the 36-year-old race back for a second to reach the 13th hundred of his Test career off 206 balls – the fourth of his career at the SCG and third in-a-row at the venue.
The partnership between he and Smith soon ticked over into triple-figures before Smith reached a half-century of his own.
The hosts entered lunch at 2-for-266 with all the momentum on their side.
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The partnership reached 200 shortly before Khawaja surpassed 150 for the for the fourth time in his Test career.
The following over, Smith notched the 30th hundred of his Test career surpassing the great Sir Donald Bradman and tying Matthew Hayden for third-most all-time in the nation’s history.
Smith lasted just two more balls, however, before nonchalantly chipping one back to bowler Keshav Maharaj much to his displeasure before the side entered tea at 3-for-394.
Travis Head looked comfortable from early on in his innings as he motored towards another half-century at better than a-run-a-ball.
He was dismissed for 70, however, after cannoning one off the bowling of Rabada to substitute fielder Rassie van der Dussen at deep square who took a difficult catch.
Matt Renshaw trotted out to the middle encumbered by coronavirus for the first time in almost five years.
He and Khawaja saw out the day’s play with Australia at 4-for-475 before rain ended proceedings early for the second consecutive day.
Khawaja finished the day on an unbeaten 195 – the highest score of his Test career – whilst Renshaw finished on 5*.
Play will resume tomorrow morning at 10:00am with all eyes on Khawaja as he looks to bring up the first double-century of his Test career.
The lingering question will be how long skipper Pat Cummins waits before declaring and allowing his bowlers to have a crack at the Proteas’ underperforming batters.
