Wet weather delays start of day three in Sydney

SYDNEY : Rain prevented the start of the third day of the already weather-disrupted third and final test between Australia and South Africa at Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

The covers were still on the pitch at the scheduled start, which had been brought forward by half an hour to 1000 local time (2300 GMT) after bad light and rain took big chunks out of the first two days.

The forecast for the rest of Friday is for a lot of rain but the prospects are brighter for the weekend.

Australia, who have locked up the series after wins in Brisbane and Melbourne, will resume on 475 for four with Usman Khawaja 195 not out and closing on his maiden test double century.

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