Not even the massive NRMA Insurance covers may fully defend the SCG pitch from Sydney’s huge moist.
There are considerations from groundstaff on Saturday morning that there’s some dampness to the wicket after practically 36 hours of constant rain.
Groundstaff have been utilizing hair dryers to try to dry out patches on the run ups and across the pitch, as intermittent rain continues to stall the beginning of play on day 4.
It’s understood the hessian covers defending the pitch have been moist from the rain which is threatening to show your complete Test right into a bust.
Australia seem ready to bat on if play resumes, though it’s unknown if additional delays will change that pondering with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 195 and hoping for a double ton.
12PM: RAIN CLEARS AT THE SCG
There’s motion on the station – covers have been taken off and, dare I say it, it’s trying fairly vibrant and – sure – rain-free.
There have been considerations concerning the wetness of the outfield, and in addition points with drying some areas close to the taking part in wicket.
But the umpires, Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, are out within the center to take a look at issues and may they provide everybody the thumbs up we could possibly be on after lunch barring one other wet set-back.
Think optimistic ideas!
11.45AM: ‘PRETTY LOW’: RENSHAW REVEALS DEPTHS OF COVID
Matt Renshaw has revealed the depths of his weird Covid isolation throughout the SCG Test.
After going to the Australian group physician with a scratchy throat and a sense that he was affected by hay fever signs, Renshaw was rattled having registered a optimistic Covid check – instantly fearing his Test comeback was lifeless within the water.
And then two days spent in a separate room, faraway from the primary taking part in group, put Renshaw in a ‘tough’ spot.
“I was a little worried about (being removed from the XI),” Renshaw advised Fox Cricket.
“It would’ve been a great story to tell – but I’m just excited that i could get back and play.
“It’s a weird two days before you bat, not spending any time with anyone, sit on your own in your own dressing room. But it’s an interesting story I’ll be able to tell the grandkids.
“I was pretty low at that point. I thoguht I wouldn’t be able to do anything.
“I’m not great by myself at the best of times, and then add the nerves of a Test match… it was quite tough.”
11.15AM: IT GOES ON AND ON
I really feel like Bill Murray, in that film… The floor workers briefly elevate the spirits of the group by eradicating the highest cowl.
As if by magic, this motion instantly prompts a brief burst of rain from the clouds above.
It’s actually a 90 second spritz, however its sufficient to pressure the covers again on.
If there are cricketing Gods, they’re taking part in a merciless recreation on the SCG this week.
Time is beginning to run out for play to get underway earlier than lunch – which implies we may have an prolonged day’s play (barring, you understand, extra rain or unhealthy mild….)
10.40AM: FRESH PITCH DRAMA THREATENS SYDNEY TEST
– BEN HORNE
Not even the massive NRMA Insurance covers may fully defend the SCG pitch from Sydney’s huge moist.
There are considerations from groundstaff on Saturday morning that there’s some dampness to the wicket after practically 36 hours of constant rain.
Groundstaff have been utilizing hair dryers to try to dry out patches on the run ups and across the pitch, as intermittent rain continues to stall the beginning of play on day 4.
It’s understood the hessian covers defending the pitch have been moist from the rain which is threatening to show your complete Test right into a bust.
Australia seem ready to bat on if play resumes, though it’s unknown if additional delays will change that pondering with Usman Khawaja unbeaten on 195 and hoping for a double ton.
10.15AM: POSITIVE SIGNS AT THE SCG
The covers are off and gamers are out within the center warming up. There’ll be an inspection in half an hour at 10.45, and barring any extra rain or setbacks, we may have some precise cricket motion throughout the hour.
And talking of positives…. Matt Renshaw is not! He’s delivered a adverse Covid check and has been capable of correctly rejoin his teammates this morning.
He’s taken half within the on-field warm-up video games and is able to bat on as soon as play resumes. He’s 5 not out.
9.45AM: AUSTRALIA’S DAY FOUR TEST PLANS REVEALED
Whenever play will get underway this morning – and trying to be extra possible an 11am begin, somewhat than 10am, judging by the big covers nonetheless defending the wicket from Sydney’s fickle climate – it looks like we all know what Australia’s plans are.
They are virtually sure to proceed to bat, judging by the sight of Matt Renshaw (5 not out) wandering to the indoor nets alongside a gloved-up Alex Carey on Saturday morning, as captured by CODE Sport’s Daniel Cherny.
The pondering behind that is two-fold.
Usman Khawaja, on 195, is on the verge of a maiden Test double century. He mentioned after play final evening it might be ‘harsh’ if captain Pat Cummins left him stranded with a declaration.
But the larger level is that it could possibly be Australia’s finest – and possibly solely – avenue to victory, ought to Cummins keen to implement the follow-on.
Adding one other 75-100 runs would put South Africa’s brittle batting below strain to keep away from the comply with on (requiring them to get inside 200 of Australia’s first innings rating).
Then it comes down as to whether Australia can take 20 wickets throughout a day and a half.
9.30AM: RADAR PROMISING GOOD THINGS
Hello from the SCG for day 4 of the New Years Test!
The news is much extra promising after yesterday’s disappointing wash-out – the twenty sixth time a full day’s play has been misplaced in a Sydney Test. More than in every single place else in Australia mixed.
It’s an unsightly file to personal.
And there’s rain round this morning, and the darkish clouds are hovering over the SCG, however the is healthier news on the radar the place the remainder of the day seems a lot clearer.
I think there’ll be cloud cowl, however maybe not the persistent rain that killed yesterday’s probabilities of any play.
Light could change into an element later within the day, however I believe there’s a very good likelihood at seeing a good chunk of cricket at present.
THE BIG-MONEY SNUB THAT MADE TRAVIS HEAD
– ROBERT CRADDOCK
Do the selectors owe Travis Head an apology or does he owe them a thanks?
Either means there appears little question one of many secret substances within the emergence of Head as a excessive class Test batsman was the scorching spur of being dropped from the nationwide contract checklist two years in the past.
That was the 12 months wherein Australia experimented with a brand new concept of naming simply 17 as an alternative of 20 gamers.
Head’s revival is proof it’s a tactic they need to use extra usually.
Rather than toss out a couple of comfortable contracts they determined to toss a couple of burrs on saddles by asking fringe gamers to earn their offers on the run.
Head was initially shattered. He was on a tenting journey within the Flinders Range 450km north of Adelaide when the checklist was introduced.
The selectors had urgently tried to contact him, initially with out success, in order that they delayed the naming of the checklist for a day.
The reality was the selectors had all the time had loads of affection for Head. They preferred his naturally attacking bent however they felt he was drifting and never bettering and was too unfastened outdoors off-stump. They wished to do one thing to focus his ideas and his recreation.
Since being dropped from the checklist Head has rebounded with a few of the finest type of his profession on residence shores.
He has sailed alongside at a blistering strike price in Test collection in opposition to England (357 at 59) the West Indies (312 at 156) and South Africa (213 at 53), scoring at slightly below a run a ball.
The comfortable spots have been two collection in Pakistan (68 at 22) and Sri Lanka (23 at seven) the place his weaknesses in opposition to spin have been uncovered and it’s true that’s the concern which should be addressed.
The 4 Test tour of India will likely be an interesting problem for Head however the very presence of Usman Khawaja within the aspect is a reminder of how gamers can enhance in opposition to spin.
Early in his profession Khawaja was thought to be a poor participant of spin and there was a time when England tweaker Graeme Swann, who dismissed Khawaja 5 instances, threatened to price him his profession.
But he labored feverishly within the nets to enhance himself and is now certainly one of Australia’s higher gamers of spin.
South African spinner Keshav Maharaj famous in his day one press convention that the Khawaja he confronted on the SCG was a special participant from the one he confronted in 2018.
“He trusts his defence rather well,’’ Maharaj mentioned. “He is aware of his scoring alternatives. He has acquired actually good arms. He is a special participant to what he was 4 years in the past.’’
There have been instances when Australia may have proven extra religion in Khawaja and brought him on extra excursions however Australia has learnt from that and can try to let Head do his enhancements on the run.
The outcomes will outline his profession.
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