Pat Cummins divides cricket fans by letting Usman Khawaja FIVE RUNS near first double century

Australia captain Pat Cummins has outraged cricket fans by deciding to declare against South Africa at the SCG on day four of the third Test, leaving opening batter Usman Khawaja unbeaten at 195 – just five runs away from a possible first double century.

With rain and poor light marring the Sydney game since Wednesday, Cummins sent the Proteas batting after his side amassed 4/475 in their first innings.

Australia captain Pat Cummins has divided cricket fans after he declared aggressive on day four against South Africa at the SCG in the third Test

Some supporters were furious with Cummins, with one going so far as to declare the fast “racist.”

“Absolute disgrace and disrespect, (some may) even say it’s racist to deny Ussie a double 100 at the SCG,” the fan tweeted.

“Milestone is difficult to achieve and should have gotten at least five overs as (there is) no chance of getting 20 wickets.”

Former fast bowler-turned-commentator Brett Lee disagreed with the decision, saying: “Give Ussie two overs. He deserves it.”

Many fans agreed.

“If Australia don’t win this friendly I will never forgive Pat Cummins for declaring on 195* with Uzzie,” wrote Riley Nelson.

“I just wanted to check the score; Seriously, didn’t we even give Uzzie 10 minutes or so to get his double bin? This is a farce,” wrote George Patrikios.

“Sad to see they are not leaving Usman Khawaja on 195 – it’s un-Australian,” added Rae Allen.

“Pat Cummins is an absolutely selfish captain who should stick to activism not cricket. Your buddy isn’t out on 195, only takes 5 runs to do a double barrel and you expose yourself by pointing him straight in the face,” wrote another fan.

A total of 57 overs of the third Test were lost over the first two days – and Friday was a completely washed out day.

More rain followed on Saturday before the referees cleared the way for play to resume at 1.45pm local time.

The decision to declare opening batsman Usman Khawaja unbeaten at 195 – five runs from a possible first double century

Some supporters were furious with Cummins, and one even went so far as to declare the fast racist

With sunny skies forecast for Sunday, Australia will be chasing early wickets.

The hosts’ best chance of victory is to secure a 200-run lead in the first innings, force the follow-on and knock South Africa out again to win the game.

While a tie remains the likeliest prospect, South Africa has not managed a score higher than 275 in the last eight innings – or survived 100 overs.

Returning Josh Hazlewood set the tone, ball in hand, by knocking out South Africa captain Dean Elgar just 15 times in the ninth over.

It left viewers in survival mode as they try to avoid a clean run of the series.