Play resumes after four-hour rain interruption at SCG

PTI, Jan 7, 2021, 9:56 AM IST

Sydney: Play resumed as the sun shone brightly after a four-hour rain interruption on the opening day of the third Test between India and Australia here on Thursday.

Groundsmen at the Sydney Cricket Ground worked relentlessly, including using a blower to go with the super-sopper, to get the surface ready for resumption at 3 pm local time.

A total of 57 overs are to be bowled in the remainder of the day. Scheduled close of play has been extended to 6.30 pm with extra 30 minutes permitted to ensure minimum overs.

Earlier, young India pacer Mohammed Siraj dismissed David Warner to leave Australia at 21 for one before the inclement weather stopped play barely seven overs into the first day’s action.

The home team batted only 7.1 overs when play was interrupted at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Siraj sent back Warner (5) when he had the seasoned opener caught by Cheteshwar Pujara at first slip in the fourth over, giving India their first breakthrough before the heavens opened up.

At the break, debutant Will Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne were batting on 14 and 2, respectively.

The players ran off the field as a shower arrived from nowhere, forcing the groundsmen to cover the pitch as well as the square.

Making a return after a long injury layoff, Warner showed intensity in the first few overs but got carried away with it as he chased a wide Siraj delivery.

Barring a couple of uncomfortable moments against the shorter balls, Pucovski has looked solid in the middle.

Earlier, Australia won the toss and opted to bat in the third and penultimate match of the four-match series.

Rohit Sharma returned to the Indian playing XI in place of Mayank Agarwal, while pacer Navdeep Saini was handed a Test debut, replacing an injured Umesh Yadav.

For Australia, Warner came back into the team with Pucovski making his debut at the expense of Travis Head.

The series is tied at 1-1.