Third Test: Australia reign on gloomy day 1 as Proteas frustrated

SYDNEY: Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja grabbed half-centuries as Australia made the best of a rainy day one to be 147 for two at stumps in the third Test against a frustrated South Africa in Sydney on Wednesday.

Opener Khawaja was 54 not out and Steve Smith yet to face a ball when rain halted play midway through the final session at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The match is a dead rubber after Australia sealed the series with wins in Melbourne and Brisbane, but Pat Cummins's side can book their place in the World Test Championship final with another victory.

Lion-hearted paceman Anrich Nortje took both the wickets, removing opener David Warner for 10 early in the morning and Marnus Labuschagne for 79 with the last ball of the day.

Labuschagne's dismissal broke a 135-run partnership with Khawaja and came as sweet relief for the Proteas, who might earlier have felt the very heavens were against them. Agencies

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