Khawaja leads assault on Proteas

Usman Khawaja moved to the brink of completing a maiden Test double-century as Australia dominated South Africa on day two of the final Test today.

The 36-year-old had reached a career-best 195 not out when rain stopped play at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Steve Smith scored 104 before tea to become the 14th player to record 30 Test centuries. And Travis Head raced to 70 from 59 balls after the break to further dash the visitors’ hopes.

Khawaja, whose previous highest score was 174 against New Zealand in Brisbane in 2015, shared a 209-run stand with Smith as they punished the beleaguered Proteas. In the course of his own innings, Smith also went past Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke to become Australia’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer.

Matt Renshaw, who tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday, came out of isolation to join Khawaja and reach stumps unbeaten on five.

Australia sealed the series with wins in Melbourne and Brisbane and can secure their place in the World Test Championship final with another victory. (BBC)