Usman Khawaja was accepting of Australia’s resolution to disclaim him the possibility to play for a maiden Test double-century towards South Africa however will rue Sydney’s moist climate for forcing the tactical transfer.
Khawaja was unbeaten on 195 – his highest Test rating – at stumps on day two of the ultimate Test however rain meant he didn’t have the possibility so as to add to his tally in any respect the next day.
Losing a complete day’s play meant Australia can be racing towards the clock to keep away from a draw however after day three, Khawaja was assured he would have the possibility to play for his milestone on Saturday.
When the primary session of day 4 was washed out as properly although, captain Pat Cummins feared going again in to bat would go away Australia too little time to bowl South Africa out, drive a follow-on, after which bowl them out once more to seal a win.
At lunch on Saturday, Khawaja grew to become solely the third participant in Test historical past unbeaten within the 190s on the time of a declaration.
At stumps, paceman Josh Hazlewood confirmed the unique plan had been to permit Khawaja the chance to tick over 200 runs on day 4, which might even have helped Australia beef up their whole and enhance their probabilities of forcing a follow-on.
Australia can doubtless solely win by sending South Africa again in to bat instantly after they’re bowled out, however can solely achieve this if the Proteas end their first innings greater than 200 runs in need of the hosts’ 4-475.
“We definitely would’ve batted if we had the full day’s play,” Hazlewood mentioned.
“We would’ve tried to get another 60 or 70 runs, maybe, just to push that follow-on out.
“But then obviously we didn’t get on there until after lunch (because of the rain) so we had to go straight out there.”
Hazlewood mentioned Khawaja, himself a captain for Queensland at state degree, understood Cummins’ resolution regardless of lacking out on his milestone.
“I think all the batters would be fine with a call like that,” Hazlewood mentioned.
“We’re obviously running out of overs as it is.
“So he was fine.”
