Australia are assured they will make it third time fortunate on the ultimate day on the SCG as they pursue an unlikely win over South Africa.
Australia enter day 5 on Sunday needing 14 wickets to assert a 3-0 collection sweep after days of rain delays, with South Africa 6-149 of their first innings.
The hosts will look to bowl South Africa out for lower than 276, implement the follow-on and have all of them out once more within the prolonged 98-over day to assert the victory.
Chasing a outcome on day 5 in Sydney is nothing new for Australia.
Last yr, they went in pursuit of 10 English wickets on the final day for victory, however fell one brief as James Anderson and Stuart Broad batted out the final two overs for a draw.
Australia additionally wanted eight Indian wickets to win in Sydney on the ultimate day in 2021, however managed solely three.
This season, the state of affairs is much tougher given the period of time misplaced within the match and 14 wickets nonetheless required.
But tempo bowler Josh Hazlewood stated there was extra help within the wicket this summer season, with indicators of decay, regardless of much less time performed on it.
“If we were going out needing seven, eight or nine wickets, we would be very confident,” Hazlewood stated.
“The wicket against India was totally different. It had long grass all through it, and that here keeps it together so much.
“(This) wicket after a little bit of visitors down, it seemed fairly good with Gazza (Nathan Lyon) bowling into that tough.”
Also in Australia’s favour is South Africa have not survived 70 overs in an innings this series.
Hazlewood was also confident Australia had made the right call to go with two spinners and two seamers for the Test, despite he and fellow quick Pat Cummins looking more threatening on day four.
With Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc both out injured, Hazlewood and Cummins could be asked to get through a higher workload on day five with no other seamers in the team.
But with no Test until next month’s tour of India, Hazlewood reckoned their bodies could be pushed.
“There are sufficient quicks now to in all probability have that mindset going into any recreation,” he stated.
“You’re there in that eleven to win that Test match, and do no matter it takes to win it. And then you definitely see how everybody has pulled up after it regardless.
“But it’s in the back of your mind a bit, we have three weeks off and you can sort of burn yourself on Sunday if the pace is playing more of a part than spin.”
