Tea Australia 138 for 1 (Labuschagne 73*, Khawaja 51*, Nortje 1-20) vs South Africa
Marnus Labuschagne survived a contentious low-catch decision during an abbreviated middle session on day one as Australia frustrated a lacklustre South Africa in the third Test at a gloomy SCG.
After captain Pat Cummins won a crucial toss and elected to bat on a dry surface, Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja built a strong platform with a century partnership after the early loss of opener David Warner.
In contrast to a sedate first session, they put the foot down to score 70 runs in 15 overs before bad light brought a halt to the second session with Australia well placed at 138 for 1.
But the talking point was when Labuschagne, on 70, appeared to be dismissed out of nowhere when he edged seamer Marco Jansen to first slip where Simon Harmer claimed a low catch.
It was given out on the soft signal but Labuschagne stood his ground and it seemed difficult to prove from replays whether Harmer had his hands under the ball close to the turf.
Third umpire Richard Kettleborough overturned the decision much to the frustration of South Africa. It only furthered Labuschagne’s reputation as a rather charmed batter but he had played imperiously before that contentious incident with five boundaries in 12 balls to go from 40 to 61.
After bowling well before lunch, Harmer trapped Khawaja lbw with the second delivery of the second session only for the decision to be reversed when replays showed the ball hit the glove first.
Having revived his career a year ago with twin centuries against England on this ground, Khawaja passed 4000 career Test runs en route to a half-century.
Under-pressure South Africa captain Dean Elgar resisted his quicks amid overcast and humid conditions in Sydney and instead decided to use spinners Harmer and Keshav Maharaj in tandem after lunch.
While Harmer threatened, particularly against the left-handed Khawaja, the batters fancied counterattacking Maharaj whose miserable series continued. He has now bowled 52.5 overs without reward in this series.
Elgar strangely stuck with Maharaj instead of Harmer as Labuschagne put the foot down. He was also belligerent against quick Kagiso Rabada, who continued his underwhelming series.
After a lionhearted effort in Melbourne, speedster Anrich Nortje was the pick of the bowlers in the first session and was rewarded with the wicket of Warner.
Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood and Matthew Renshaw were named in an Australia team attempting a clean sweep of the series and a spot in the World Test Championship final in June.
With the SCG surface set to play more traditionally, Australia named two frontline spinners at home for the first time in six years with left-armer Agar making his return having not played Test cricket since 2017.
Regular quick Hazlewood returns from a side strain having edged out cult favourite Scott Boland and uncapped tearaway Lance Morris.
Along with Harmer, who replaced Lungi Ngidi, South Africa named batter Heinrich Klaasen in place of Theunis de Bruyn who has returned home for the birth of his first child. The Proteas still have a slim chance at qualifying for the WTC final with a consolation victory.
Rain is forecast in Sydney in the afternoon and evening.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth
