9:40 pm Alright, folks. The umpires have decided to call it off. Rain prevailed, and the game was called off. Each team earns one point. The point table remains unchanged. We had the good fortune to begin the game at the appointed hour on a rainy day. However, throughout the first six overs, there were a few rain-related pauses. From the beginning, David Warner seemed to be in good form. Luke Edwards bowled a sandshoe crusher to remove Konstas' stumps. But the rain took over the game. That concludes our action for today. Keep yourself safe and take care. I'm signing off on Thilak's and my behalf, Rashad.

9:35 pm: No hint of positive news yet. Given the rate at which the rain is pouring, there doesn't appear to be any indication that it will stop anytime soon. Having any cricket action at the SCG starting today will be a miracle. Sean Abbott can be seen wandering about, cradling the baby. Chris Green: "I'm just worried about blowing away between me or the guys doing the covers. Someone's gonna blow away (by the wind) tonight. (Best game scenario) I think any form of the game is great or best-case scenario, there's still so much to play for the winner of this is guaranteed Top Two. So we've already qualified it's almost like a free opportunity to try and get a top two and you get two bites of the cherry. And I think also with how much of the crowds stuck around tonight, just be great that if the rain does clear, there is some cricket flight. (Today's wind experience) No! All day I had outdoor furniture blowing away. Walking the dog, we nearly blew away so I was hoping it would blow the rain away rather but I wasn't looking forward to a high ball. (Activity in the dressing room) There's a big game of cards being played. I think a few are trying to work out the Duckworth Lewis usually when that Duckworth Lewis comes, one team's always hard done by one team's got a real sort of good opportunity to win the game. So we're sort of split into end some guys just sort of we're so used to it. Unfortunately with cricket, you end up just swapping stories telling jokes, and yeah playing cards. (Keeping the dressing room vibe high) Oh, it's hard to go past Dave Warner. He's certainly the loudest and dominates all conversations but in such a good way. I think the Sam Konstas effects. Great to see him with all the kids around. There are not too many big personalities in the dressing room. So we just have a good laugh. He (Warner) gave us some horrible tips with Happy Valley the other night. It didn't work and then I'm not sure he hasn't spoken much about Magic Millions so it obviously didn't do well. (General Manager) Is he making coffee? No way! I think this is the second time we've seen Trent all season, he's very good on Instagram, and very good in our WhatsApp but not great on showing up. So he's been good this season. We really enjoyed what he's brought to this group. He's very big on the super coach, the NFL draft. So the draft was his baby. I think he's built a really nice squad and I think the trade period is something that he's looking really forward to. (Next Week approach) Hammered with wind and hammered with rain (laughter) I think the nice thing is that regardless of the result, whether we win lose, or draw, we'll definitely get one game, which I think is really exciting to have a home final or the ability to host it. So that's that's one thing. And then, I think everyone from the outset during the BBL, you're trying to play finals cricket. So I think that's an achievement on its own. Especially considering the injuries, collisions, and selection going up."

9:15 pm When the covers were coming off a bit ago, the game was briefly shortened to nine overs. Not anymore. It's still falling. 8:55 pm The good news is that the hefty coverings are currently being removed. Hopefully, we can resume play shortly. At the moment, Sam Konstas is interacting with the audience by taking selfies and signing autographs.

CamR: "@Swarnadeep mark my words, statements like that were bandied about in the past about Australian teams post '06/07 & post '13/14 periods. Australia are always there or thereabouts "

Sabuj : "@HenryHis defensive technique looked reasonably solid. He doesn't lunge forward and stays inside the line of the ball, so he is not a serial leg before candidate and it also enables him to play the flicks, glances, pulls, etc., really well to the incoming deliveries. Because he stays inside the line of the ball, he can easily leave the outswinging deliveries or doesn't inadvertently poke at unwanted deliveries. Overall, not a bad technique for an opener. "

Swarnadeep: "Mark my words, after a 5 yr period Aus will have the worst decline in tests. While they have the next gen of fast bowlers, but the batting will be in a disarray. When a particular team continues to have stalwarts and fails to breed new talent, it is marked by a big decline phase. Case in point, SL had mahela,sanga,dilshan,jayasuriya retiring and the decline was so eminent." But, Swarnadeep, isn't this evident for practically every squad out there, more or less? The game is growing into a more aggressive mode.

In other news, Matt Kuhnemann's participation in the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka is in severe question after injuring his thumb while playing for the Brisbane Heat.

Jake: "Should I just get some popcorn ready? This thread could get real interesting real quick" I recommend getting some popcorn and other snacks as well.

Aaron: "Kiran I never said Australia hasn't been achieving amazing things. We do show some development of youngsters in the shorter formats but not in Tests. How many players now into their 30s.We all know Warner kept getting selected way longer than he should have. And just about every player in the top order except Trav has had patches of form that in the past would have seen players droppedAnd where has been our blooding of youth to take over from the current group?"

Nick : "@Keiran, while I agree with your point that CA is better than what Aaron is insinuating, the fact we haven't even played all the bilateral series in the last 20 years means using that as evidence for our current standings is a little misleading. Australia really should stop claiming to hold "all bilateral series" when there are 2 test nations they have NEVER even played at all"

8:40 pm Unfortunately, there isn't any new information from the grounds. Strong gusts and rain are still present.

Josh: "In your opinion is there any chance of more play tonight or should we take our ball and go home ?" Josh, there is a potential for play, but it all relies on how the weather turns out. It is pouring persistently now, and the groundsstaff and supersopper can be seen on the screen near the covered sections. Let's wait and find out.

Chris: "Hard to be critical of George Bailey and his selection committee based on results. "

Kiran: "Aaron, what planet are you on? Australia has the WTC (into another final), the ODI WC (won in India) and all bilateral trophies." Those outcomes and development are probably insufficient to please Aaron.

Jake: "In response to Arne's question, I reckon Duckett's screamer against the Strikers takes it out"

Aaron: "Has to be a toss up between Maxi on the boundary or Southerland's 1 handed screamer. Hard to pick between the 2 cause they both use different skill sets and are amazing in their own right"

DaveC: "Have you seen Ash Gardiner's catch inthe Aus v Eng ODI today. winner." You can find it here in case you missed it.

arne jensen: "what's everyone's favorite for catch of the season. seems to be a lot of contenders" Which is your favourite?

Henry: "@Rob - Traditional stroke play… Against an attack of mediocre Sheffield shield bowlers, not sure that shows us a lot"

Aaron: "Konstas and JFM are both a product of CAs poor selections over the last 12 months. The public gets so excited by finally seeing a new player rather than the same old faces failing again. Consequently, the young guys get way too much pressure heaped on their shoulders before they've even finished developing their own game"

8:15 pm As the rain stopped, the coverings were removed for a brief moment. But, Alas! The covers are back on now that the rain and wind are coming down hard.

Jena: "are we losing more overs?" That seems to be the case in my perspective.

Rob: "Hasn't looked good without his ramps??? What about the shield centuries he has scored with traditional stroke play??"

Henry: "Unpopular opinion - Sam Konstas overhyped?? Hasn't looked good in any games without his ramps" The boy had only just begun. Mate, give him some time. We have all seen what occurred with the JFM hype.

8:05 pm This evening marks the first time that the pitch and surrounding area have been covered. The rain began to fall little strongly.

7:55 pm It's raining again. Groundstaff have arrived with the coverings. It appears that the rain will come and go.

Dwarshuis joins the attack