Australia vs South Africa, 3rd Test - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Steve Waugh: Test cricket needs to realise there is a lot of competition out there and not using the lights when the players are off for bad light simply doesn't add up. Lots of unhappy spectators who can't understand the rationale and reason for no play.

17:55 Local Time, 06:55 GMT, 12:25 IST: No improvement in the light and getting worse with the rain threat as well. The umpires have had enough. STUMPS it is. We will be starting half-an-hour early tomorrow, remember. On a slow Sydney track, Australia opted to bat and looked set for another marathon innings, but the dismissal of Labuschagne will give South Africa some hope and energy ahead of day 2. Barring Warner's dismissal, Khawaja was at his usual best and will hold key for Australia tomorrow. Before we bid goodbye, we will leave you with thoughts of one of Australia's finest, Steve Waugh, who made his disappointment very vivid in his latest social media post. Cheers!!

Highlights of the day so far:
--Matt Renshaw, playing his first Test in five years, tests positive for Covid before start of play
--Warner chasing a wide one from Nortje
--Labuschagne calling for a cigarette lighter to fix the fray of his helmet
--Khawaja (on 25) given out lbw, saved by DRS (got a glove)
--Harmer's claim for a clean catch (against Labuschagne on 70)
--Khawaja goes past 4000 Test runs
--Nortje's crackerjack to dismiss Labuschagne

17:07 Local Time, 06:07 GMT, 11:37 IST: Out walks Steven Smith and off go the players. The umpires have asked Elgar if he wants to bowl spin and the Protea skipper, for obvious reasons, said no without an air of hesitation. If the players are not back on the field by 18:30 local that will be it for the day. Its gotten very dark out there and the hessian cover is out too. Slight drizzle as I type this and let's hope we get some action before stumps. More covers brought in, alas!

Steven Smith, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Nortje to Labuschagne, out Caught by Verreynne!! Anrich Nortje - what a superstar. Gives his all no matter what and gets some reward for his efforts. Fiery 146ks short of length delivery that seemed to be angling into the right-hander, Labuschagne played for the angle but the ball left him late and clicked the shoulder edge and the edge of his shirt before flying through to Verreynne. Labuschagne stood there shell-shocked suggesting "What just happened, mate" kinda helpless look on his face. He will have no choice but to walk back. Labuschagne c Verreynne b Nortje 79(151) [4s-13]

Nortje to Labuschagne, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Nortje to Labuschagne, no run, 143ks good length just outside off, Labuschagne nicely behind it

Nortje to Labuschagne, no run, 146ks good length just outside off, solid in defence is Marnus Labuschagne

Nortje to Labuschagne, no run, 141ks skiddy short of length delivery just outside off, Labuschagne stands tall and fends it in front of his chest

Nortje to Khawaja, 3 runs, too full outside off, Khawaja opens the bat face on the drive and gets it past the diving left hand of Rabada at backward point. Maharaj gives chase and saves a run for his side

Nortje to Khawaja, no run, good length just outside off, blocked from the crease

Marco Jansen to Labuschagne, 2 runs, 133ks back of a length on the stumps, Labuschagne gets inside the line and clips it to the right of fine leg

Marco Jansen to Labuschagne, no run, on a length just outside off, Labuschagne hops across and taps to backward point

Marco Jansen to Labuschagne, no run, very full just outside off, squeezed back to the bowler

Marco Jansen to Labuschagne, no run, fuller and wider, left

Marco Jansen to Labuschagne, no run, full outside off at 130ks, no shot offered

Marco Jansen to Labuschagne, no run, loopy full delivery at 129ks wide of off, Labuschagne was in two minds and decided to let it pass at the last second

Nortje to Labuschagne, 1 run, 142ks short of length on off, tucks into the leg-side for a quick single

Nortje to Labuschagne, no run, 144ks good length on off, blocked back to the bowler