Khaya Zondo of South Africa questioned whether the light was appropriate for play to be continuing at the time of his dismissal in the Sydney Test and also thought he had an advantage on Pat Cummins’ yorker.
Zondo was stuck in front deep in the last session on Saturday with floodlights on when Cummins ran around the wicket and delivered a fantastic piece of bowling. Zondo had to work hard for his 39 after entering with South Africa 37 for 3. Zondo did not immediately check the lbw when it was called on the field, but he did so after noticing a spike on the replay, even though it looked to be the result of the bat hitting the ground.
There was an increase, according to Zondo. “I don’t want to go on too much about it; the choice has been made. What is, is what is. I felt like it was pretty black, not simply dark. Cummins isn’t really sluggish, is he?
When play was initially stopped on Wednesday, the officials adjusted their level due to poor lighting. Josh Hazlewood recognized that as the game drew to a close and Marco Jansen began to get a barrage of short deliveries, but that was after Zondo was ejected.
Following Zondo’s dismissal, the in-form Kyle Verreynne edged to slip during a masterful bowling performance by Pat Cummins, leaving South Africa requiring 127 runs to escape the follow-on or 14 wickets to complete the final day. We have one day to bat, so I’m certain we can do it tomorrow because I know we’ve done it in the past.
He also offered encouragement to skipper Dean Elgar, whose disastrous batting trip was made worse by a ferocious workover from Hazlewood and Cummins. Elgar’s average of 9.20 with one inning left is the fourth-lowest by a visiting captain who has participated in at least three games in a series, trailing only Courtney Walsh, Ivo Bligh, and Arthur Gilligan.
He’s been cheerful lately…You don’t see any dissatisfaction in the locker room,” Zondo remarked. “I’ve served as a captain at the domestic level, so I understand what it’s like. He is managing it well even though it would be ten times heavier if done at an international level.
“You can see he’s experienced; as a result, he knows the wheel will finally turn.” If he follows his procedures, the team will eventually improve as they gain more knowledge and experience. It won’t always be this way; someday, the sun will shine.”