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04-Jan-2016 06:50:00 GMT
Australia v West Indies, 3rd Test, SCG

Rain Force Early Close After Brathwaite Wicket

Sydney: A day's play that was forecast to play a supporting role to the weather was drowned out more quickly and more completely than even the most pessimistic horizon-watchers and sea salts had foreshadowed.

In total, 68 balls were bowled across more than six hours before sogginess and sanity prevailed and the day was abandoned with the West Indies still 7-248 in a first innings that will resume on tomorrow's third morning.

Although a prediction that shows a 90 per cent chance of rain with up to 20mm falling on Sydney throughout Tuesday might put also paid to that likelihood.

The heavy rain that hit an hour before the scheduled start today had cleared and the SCG surface had somehow drained sufficiently for play to begin following a delay of less than half an hour, but that reprieve was comically short-lived.

Nathan Lyon sent down three deliveries to the West Indies sheet-anchor Denesh Ramdin (30*, off 103 balls) – two of which he knocked gently to short-leg and the third that was patted tamely back along the pitch – before the next shower rolled through and the players headed for cover.

They returned an hour and a quarter later, got through another three and half overs of spin from Lyon and Steve O'Keefe from which the West Indies found a further nine runs, and then surrendered to the weather once more.

Like a restless sleeper through a steamy night, hours were then filled with the regular rolling back of the covers only to have them re-fitted as conditions oscillated between manageable and maddening.

Which began when Lyon was able to whiz through the over needed to herald the availability of a second new-ball, which excited some notable interest from long-limbed, big-hitting Bajan allrounder Carlos Brathwaite if not the parochial Sydney crowd.

Brathwaite, in unfamiliar conditions not only due to the wintry aspect but also because he is playing only his second Test match, decided that James Pattinson represented the best chance to steal some quick runs before the next rain dump arrived and went at him with intent bordering on malice.

Brief scores
West Indies -
7 for 248 (C Brathwaite 69)


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