AUS vs PAK, 3rd Test: Sydney Weather Forecast on Day 3, Will Rain Play Spoilsport Again?
Only 46 overs were possible on Day 2 of the third and final Test between Australia and Pakistan before rain and poor light halted play.
Sydney: Unlike Day 2, the third day of the ongoing third and final Test between Australia and Pakistan is going slightly better but is expected to remain cloudy, according to several weather websites. Play had to be stopped after lunch on Day 2 (Thursday) with Australia at 116/2 in reply to Pakistan’s 313. It was gloomy and the floodlights at the Sydney Cricket Ground had to be turned on due to poor lighting. The players were away for another 40 minutes while 25,000 fans remained in attendance, before rain began to fall and the day was officially wiped out.
On day 3 (Friday), there is a 20 percent chance of rain during the first parts of the day. There may be a light drizzle in the morning, but this is unlikely to impact the match for long. The temperature in the morning and evening is also expected to be 21 degrees.
Earlier, Australian opener David Warner was dismissed for 34 in his farewell cricket Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday before rain and poor light spoiled most of the rest of the second day. Only 46 overs were possible on the day.
In his 112th and final Test, Warner was caught at first slip by Babar Azam off Agha Salman’s bowling before lunch. Play was stopped in the middle session with Australia at 116-2 in response to Pakistan’s 313. The lights were on at the SCG and conditions were gloomy, but the decision to take players off the field due to poor lighting was met with boos from the crowd and criticism from former players.
The players were away for another 40 minutes while 25,000 fans remained in attendance, before rain began to fall and the day was officially wiped out. Marnus Labuschagne resumes Friday morning at 23 with Steve Smith at 6.
On Wednesday, after Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, Australian captain Pat Cummins won 5-61 for his third successive five-wicket haul. Pakistan’s top spot was exposed again before a lower order rally helped the tourists to a total of over 300.
Pakistan were in danger of being dismissed cheaply at 96-5, but an enterprising counter-attack led by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan with a brisk 88, followed by a half-century from Agha Salmon and a maiden Test half-century by Aamer Jamal helped Pakistan recover to restore to a respectable total.
With Australia assured of winning the series after victories in Perth and Adelaide, the build-up to the match was almost exclusively about Warner’s final Test. Flanked by his three daughters, he led the home side to the SCG before the match.
WITH AP INPUTS