Cricket weather delays start of day three in Sydney

SYDNEY (Reuters) Rain prevented the start of the third day of the already weather-hit third and final Test between Australia and South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

The decks were still on the field for the scheduled start, which had been pushed back half an hour to 1000 local time (2300 GMT) as poor light and rain took large chunks of the first two days.

A lot of rain is forecast for the end of Friday, but the outlook for the weekend is brighter.

Australia, who have wrapped up the series after their wins in Brisbane and Melbourne, remain on 475 for four with Usman Khawaja’s 195 not out to close out his maiden Test double century.

The hosts released batsman Marcus Harris and fast bowler Lance Morris for their Big Bash League squad on Friday and called on Peter Handscomb to act as a substitute for the rest of the match.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney Editing by Ed Osmond)