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Dark clouds are threatening to ruin the four-Test series finale between Australia and South Africa, with the opening session on day four delayed then interrupted because of bad light.
Play started 15 minutes late in Johannesburg on Monday. The Proteas resumed at 3-134 and progressed to 4-143 when umpires forced players off the ground.
Play restarted after a break of approximately 15 minutes, but showers are forecast to interrupt play later on day four and again on day five.
The hosts have a 410-run lead but, boasting a 2-1 series advantage, are expected to bat the tired tourists out of the contest rather than declare any time soon.
History suggests the Proteas almost have enough runs on the board already. West Indies’ 7-418 remains the all-time Test record for a successful run-chase.
South Africa have never defeated Australia in a home Test series since the end of apartheid, failing on seven previous attempts. That streak is almost certain to end.
Australia are dealing with literal and metaphorical dark clouds.
The tourists have struggled to focus on the fourth Test, with their minds regularly returning to the cheating scandal that resulted in Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft returning home in shame.
“You’ve got some of your best players not in the side. It’s just about people picking up the slack and trying to get better every day,” captain Tim Paine said after day three.
Sunday was one of Australia’s more promising days on a controversy-plagued tour, although the best efforts of Paine and Pat Cummins failed to halt the hosts’ push for a historic Test series victory.
Paine refused to fold meekly as he batted through the pain of a broken thumb, top-scoring with 62 and sharing Australia’s best stand yet in the four-Test series.
But Paine’s side were rolled for 221 when he fell victim to a sensational diving catch from Dean Elgar, paying the price for collapses of 3-28 and 3-6 on day two.
The Proteas proceeded to grind the tourists’ tired attack into the dirt. Cummins in particular bowled well in the final session, but for scant reward.
“We’re obviously still a long way behind the game,” Paine said.
“But I thought the spirit and the fight with the bat (was positive).
“We didn’t get the wickets that we perhaps deserved, but I was really proud at the way they stuck at it and the same with our fielding group.”
Paine and Cummins put on 99 runs for the seventh wicket. Australia’s previous highest partnership on the tour was the 98-run opening stand between Warner and Bancroft in Port Elizabeth.
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