South Africa were left praying for better weather after persistent rain ruined their bold attempt to win the third and final Test against Australia on Thursday.Less than 21 overs were completed on a gloomy fourth day at the Sydney Cricket Ground effectively thwarting the visitor’s hopes of drawing the series.Needing a win to square the series after drawing in Perth then losing in Melbourne, South Africa ended the day leading by 186 runs with seven second-innings wickets in hand.They had been frantically trying to build a bigger lead but now face the prospect of having to make an early declaration on the last day — for which more foul weather is forecast — to give themselves any chance of winning.“We’re in the hands of the weather but basically it just boils down to that we just want to give ourselves a chance of winning the game,” South Africa all rounder Shaun Pollock told a news conference.“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter if we lose the series 2-0. To protect a defeat and still go 1-0 down in the series is pointless. We might as well give ourselves a chance to win but at the same time you don’t want to just make an easy target.”Thursday’s start was delayed by an hour because of showers and less than six overs were bowled after lunch when the heavens opened again.The umpires were jeered by sections of the crowd for not starting play earlier after lunch when the rain initially stopped.Brief scoresSouth Africa 451/9 decl and 94/3 (Gibbs 67; McGrath 1/41, Lee 1/48) vs Australia 359 (Ponting 120, A. Gilchrist 86; Nel 4/81). (Reuters)After Lee, McGrath faces the music from match refereeSydney: Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath was given an official reprimand for obscene behaviour on the fourth day here. McGrath was found guilty of the offence after appearing before ICC match referee following an outburst in the 13h over of South Africa’s second innings. The paceman was reported by the on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden and third umpire Bob Parry for ‘‘using language that is obscene, offensive or insulting and/or the making of an obscene gesture’’. McGrath was charged with a level one offence which carried a maximum penalty of being fined half his match fee. The reprimand he received was the minimum penalty. (AFP)
