Khawaja, Smith tons put Australia in command in rainy Sydney

SYDNEY :Rain denied Usman Khawaja a maiden double-century after a Steve Smith ton but Australia were in complete command of the third test against South Africa on Thursday, having made hay on a placid pitch for a second straight day.

Australia were 475 for four on day two when stumps came early at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with opener Khawaja on a career-high 195 not out and newly minted number six Matt Renshaw on five after coming out of his COVID-19 segregation.

On a stop-start day blighted by the weather, Smith shone with his 30th test hundred and Travis Head hammered a T20-style 70 from 59 balls to pile on the pain for the Proteas, whose hopes of a face-saving win were crushed under a mountain of runs.

Pakistan-born Khawaja continued his love affair with the SCG where he reignited his international career last year with twin Ashes hundreds against England.

"There's a lot of special feelings here," Khawaja told Fox Sports as he came off for lunch.

"I grew up just up the road ... It's always an honour to score runs here."

The match is a dead rubber, with Australia having sealed the series with wins in Melbourne and Brisbane.

But Pat Cummins's side can book their place in the World Test Championship final with another victory.

With further rain forecast and wickets at a premium, the hosts may need to declare early on day three to force a result.

Smith joined a group of 14 cricketers with 30 test centuries before spinner Keshav Maharaj had the number four caught and bowled for 104, ending a 209-run partnership with Khawaja.

Smith left Don Bradman (29) behind and has only Steve Waugh (32) and Ricky Ponting (41) ahead of him among Australia's most prolific century-makers.

He was still disappointed to have given Maharaj his first