WATCH: South Africa Awarded 5 Runs As Penalty To Australia In Rare Incident During Sydney Test

AUS vs SA: The incident happened when Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer were in the middle of their 85-run partnership for the 8th wicket

With the match finishing in draw, Australia clinched the series 2-0 ( Image Source :AFP )

South Africa managed to hold on to a draw in the third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday (January 8, 2023). While they couldn't save themselves from the embarrassment of a follow on and eventually got bowled out for 255 in their first innings, in response to Australia's 475/4, the visitors lost 2 wickets for 106 runs in their second innings and played out 41.5 overs before the match ended in a draw.

However, one rare instance on the cricket field during the first innings of the Proteas on Day 5 has gone viral on social media. Australia were penalised when the ball nutmegged Australia's wicketkeeper Alex Carey before going on to hit the helmet placed behind the stumper. Consequently, South Africa were awarded 5 penalty runs.

The incident happened when Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer were in the middle of a their 85-run partnership for the 8th wicket which did bring them close to their follow-on target of 276 runs but eventually they did fell short as both of them fell to Josh Hazlewood. Travis Head was the bowler and it was the 94th over of the innings.

Here is the video:

You don't see that too often!

Five penalty runs to South Africa #AUSvSA pic.twitter.com/ixxqTPTtEk

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2023

Touring Australia Is Toughest In The World: Dean Elgar

With the match finishing in draw, Australia clinched the series 2-0. After the conclusion of the match, the Proteas skipper Dean Ekgar said that touring Australia is perhaps the toughest in the world.

"Touring Australia is never easy. The message to the group yesterday was to fight it out on day five. If you think about it, only 3-4 guys have played here before, so a lot of learnings. It is a tough place to tour, maybe the toughest in the world," Elgar said at the post match presentation.

"Test cricket teaches you resilience. When things aren’t on your side, you still have to wake up and try again. That’s why they call it a Test, it tests every facet of your personality. (On his poor form) Something I’ll reflect on. I’m the captain but I’m also the run scorer, that hasn’t worked out this series. But I know I’ll be back. I have the fight to get better from here, no doubt," he added.