On the second day of the third and final Test in Sydney, only 46 overs were feasible due to deteriorating lighting conditions and subsequent precipitation. As a result of Pakistan’s predominantly disciplined bowling, Australia’s response was gradual but consistent, eroding the overnight deficit by 110 runs due to the loss of both set openers.
As soon as play resumed in the second session, the previously cloudy heavens became slightly dismal and dark, and Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja attempted to regroup after losing David Warner on 34 with the stroke of lunch. Following this, the lights were fully operational as Labuschagne guided the hosts to 100 runs.
Pakistan challenged a caught-behind appeal against Khawaja just prior to the refreshments break, but the challenge was denied on-field. Replays verified that the Australian opener had, in fact, blocked a brief delivery from Aamer Jamal to the keeper, who persuaded his commander to utilize DRS and was subsequently validated in his decision. Khawaja narrowly lost out on a fifty by three runs.
Steve Smith got off to a rapid start with a swivel-pull in the same over, but the light conditions soon deteriorated, limiting the standing umpires to permitting spin only from both ends. Pakistan aspired to maintain momentum, which ultimately resulted in the proceedings coming to a halt and an early tea break.
The subsequent arrival of precipitation diminished the likelihood of a timely resumption for the final session. Despite having lost 44 overs, Australia trailed by 197 runs when play was suspended for the day at approximately 5:00 PM. Given the evenly matched nature of the event, Day 3 will commence a half-hour earlier.
Brief scores:
Australia 116/2 (Usman Khawaja 47, Marnus Labuschagne 23*; Aamer Jamal 1-26) trail Pakistan by 197 runs
