A day and 14 wickets for Australians to sweep Test series

Australia need a 14-wicket final day to sweep South Africa in a 3-0 series against bad weather in Sydney after Pat Cummins came back to life in a rain-soaked Test on Day 4.

South Africa stumped at 6-149 in the first innings and needed another 127 runs to avoid trailing after Australia went 4-475 and Usman Khawaja declared himself unbeaten on 195.

That came after the first half of the day had been washed away by rain and leaky cover, adding to all losses on the third day and a further 57 overs in the first two days.

Australia need to win a match to seal out a spot at the World Test Championship final in June, having qualified out of the equation before a four-test tour in India next month.

The first task is to dismiss South Africa for 275 or less in the first innings so the hosts can follow up and go for the win.

Australian bowlers have given them every chance to do so.

Cummins claimed 3-29 on Saturday. Because he bowled furiously in the fading light late into the evening after Heinrich Klaasen fell behind before tea.

Cummins masterclass

When Kaya Zondo bounced him off around the wicket later in the day, Quick Set-up followed up with a Yorker before trapping him at £39.

In-form Kyle Verain also fell to the Australian captain on the 19th, letting Cummins slip after he and Zondo led a short Protea counterattack in free-flowing strokeplay.

However, Verreynne’s exit exposes the tails to start the final day.

Hazlewood also took two wickets in charge for Australia, extending the predicament of South African captain Dean Elgar with a well-placed bouncer and catching the opener’s glove for 15.

Temba Babuma was another victim of Hazelwood, making a seamed delivery with a bat hanging outside a stump and getting stuck behind when he provided an outside edge.

Nathan Lyon also outsmarted Sarelle Erwie to take the opener’s wicket earlier in the day.

Australia’s disappointing moment came when third umpire Richard Kettleborough deemed the ball brushed the ground when Steve Smith claimed a spectacular catch in a slip with Elgar at six.

The incident came after a similar appeal was dismissed in Australia’s innings in which Simon Hamer believed he had caught Marnus Labuchagne on his way to 79.

-AAP