By Nick Mulvenney
SYDNEY (Reuters) – South Africa frustrated Australia on the final morning of the rain-disrupted third test on Sunday, reaching lunch on 244 for seven after losing only one wicket in the opening session and inching closer to avoiding the follow on.
The hosts, who declared on 475 for four on Saturday, need to take 14 wickets to win the test and sweep the series 3-0 but were only able to remove Marco Jansen after he had added a single run to his overnight tally of 10.
Simon Harmer played more positively than Jansen and was 45 not out at the break in a partnership of 77 with Keshav Maharaj, who was unbeaten on 49.
Quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood had been expected to lead the final day charge with spinners Nathan Lyon and Ashton Agar, but it was a straight ball from the occasional bowler Travis Head that induced Jansen to edge behind.
South Africa had resumed on 149-6 under sunny skies at the Sydney Cricket Ground looking to bat out the day and force a draw with the first target of reaching 275 to avoid the follow on.
Australia have already locked up the series after comprehensive victories in Brisbane and Melbourne but need to win the final match to be certain of qualifying for June’s World Test Championship final at the Oval.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by William Mallard)
