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Australia vs Pakistan: David Warner out for 34 in final Test match as hosts' progress limited by weather

Australia trail Pakistan by 197 runs after closing a rain-interrupted second day of the third Test on 116-2 in Sydney; Australia opener David Warner was out for 34 in what is likely to be his penultimate Test innings; Marnus Labuschagne (23) and Steve Smith (6) unbeaten overnight

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 04: David Warner of Australia leaves the field out for 34 bowled Salman Ali Agha of Pakistan caught Babar Azam of Pakistan during Day 2 of the third test match between Australia and Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 04, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Image: David Warner was out for 34 in what is likely to be his penultimate Test innings

David Warner made 34 in what is likely to be his penultimate innings in the long form of cricket as Australia reached 116-2 on the rain-disrupted second day of the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney. 

Bad light stopped play midway through the second session before a huge rainstorm swept down across the city, leaving the home batters kicking their heels for the remainder of the day still 197 runs behind Pakistan's first innings score of 313.

Marnus Labuschagne, who was 23 not out, and Steve Smith, unbeaten on six, will resume on day three on Friday when no rain is forecast.

"I think we're starting to get used to it here in Sydney each year but yeah, it's frustrating to lose a bit of time to light and then now a bit of rain settling in," Australia captain Pat Cummins said.

The last three New Year's Tests at Sydney Cricket Ground have been impacted by the weather and all ended in draws.

Australia's David Warner, left, turns to see his is caught out by Pakistan's Babar Azam on the second day of their cricket test match in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Image: Warner was caught at slip by Pakistan's Babar Azam

Australia hold an unassailable lead in the three-match series against Pakistan after victories in Perth and Melbourne but will be desperate to send Warner into retirement a win on his home ground.

The 37-year-old had come through a single over with six runs to his name at the end of play on Wednesday and resumed with childhood friend Usman Khawaja under cloudy skies on Thursday.

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He should have departed for 20 when Pakistan debutant Saim Ayub dropped a sitter in the slips, and was fortunate on 27 that his edge went between the slips and gully and ran to the boundary for four.

Australia's not out batters Steve Smith, left, and Marnus Labuschagne walk off the field after play against Pakistan is suspended due to poor light on the second day of their cricket test match in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
Image: Australia duo Steve Smith (L) and Marnus Labuschagne remained unbeaten at the close

A bowling change for Pakistan did the trick with off-spinner Agha Salman coming on to remove Warner with his third ball, the Australian bamboozled by the spin and bounce and edging the delivery to Babar Azam in the cordon.

The crowd was initially silent but quickly roused into yet another ovation for Warner, whose runs took his career tally to 8,729 in 112 Tests at an average of 44.53.

"It was pretty good ball he got there," Cummins added.

"He always finds a way to get himself up and he looked like a man on a mission when he walked out to bat. I'm sure he'll get a second innings out there to score a few more runs."

Khawaja followed for 47 before the weather disruption, ruled to have been caught behind after a DRS appeal off the bowling of Aamir Jamal, Pakistan's find of the series.

"Really happy with where it stands," said Cummins. "It's a really good wicket, it feels like there's plenty runs to be scored.

"So if we can get a first innings lead that would be good. A decent lead would be better and hopefully it'll start spinning."

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