Overcast conditions at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) saw the first day’s play between Australia and South Africa halt at 2:30 pm local time on Wednesday, January 4.
Rain further delayed the resumption, with rules stating that play cannot be resumed until the umpires’ light meter reading reads better than when play was first called off.
Speaking to Fox Cricket, Border stated:
Former Aussie batter Mark Waugh also believes play should have continued as the floodlights were on and suggested that the Australian batters didn’t struggle to see the ball. He explained:
After the rain stopped, play was scheduled to resume at 3:45 pm. However, the lighting reading proved worse than what it was an hour ago. The umpires waved the players off, waiting on the sidelines for play to begin.
Anrich Nortje removes Marnus Labuschagne but Australia finish Day 1 on top
After play resumed at 4:45 pm and lasted only 15 minutes, Anrich Nortje dismissed Marnus Labuschagne, who nicked one to Kyle Verreynne behind the stumps.
Seconds later, both sides trudged off the ground again as the umpires told them to.
Labuschagne’s wicket ended a 135-run stand between him and Usman Khawaja that was stitched after Nortje removed David Warner in the fourth over. Australia, leading the three-match series by a 2-0 margin, chose to bat first and made two changes, with Ashton Agar and Matt Renshaw replacing the injured duo of Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc.
The Proteas also made two changes, bringing in Heinrich Klassen and Simon Harmer for Theunis de Bruyn and Lungi Ngidi, respectively.
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