Rain disrupts day two of Sydney test

West Indies have already lost the series following heavy defeats in the first two Tests.

Lyon was proud to collect his 100th Test wicket on home soil, the milestone coming with the key scalp of Brathwaite, who made 85. “It’s a big challenge for me, it’s spinning pretty big”.

While all-rounder Mitch Marsh said Australia would continue to push for victory and a 3-0 series clean sweep, Simmons was adamant that no deals would be done on the remaining two days of the game. “I’m a big fan of him and I love bowling in partnerships with (him)”. Blackwood misjudged the degree of turn, leaving the ball and watching it hit the top of off stump. “I’m enjoying that challenge right now”.

The Caribbean side won the toss and elected to bat first.

Brathwaite was deceived by Lyon’s extra bounce and attempted to steer the ball past slip.

Carlos Brathwaite gave the action-starved crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) a brief burst of entertainment with a flurry of boundaries but the rain started falling again soon after he was dismissed for 69.

West Indies, whose second spin option Devendra Bishoo was ruled out by a shoulder problem, replaced injured opener Rajenda Chandrika with Shai Hope and will be looking to build on their improved batting in the second test.

The Windies opener refused to offer his opinion on whether Samuels – who has failed to score above 20 in his last nine Test innings – was a valued member of the side when prompted, instead exclusively playing down the run-out.

There was just one vaguely similar spell before play was formally abandoned at 4.30pm, after hours of relentless rain that never quite became torrential but at the same time refused to stop. Brathwaite retreated to his end and Samuels was stranded by Hazlewood’s throw to the striker’s end.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland told cricket.com.au awarding Sydney two Tests would be a “break from recent tradition”.

“I was upset that when once more I acquired a begin and could not keep it up”. “It was just a misunderstanding”.

Australia have dominated the West Indies in this series – over the two matches Australia have amassed 1,313 runs for the loss of 10 wickets, with the West Indies’ cumulative total standing at 924 for 38.