Play abandoned as big wet continues

Play has been abandoned on day three of the third Test between Australia and West Indies at the SCG without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain.

Umpires Ian Gould and Chris Gaffaney made the decision at 3.30pm (AEDT), well before the scheduled close of play at 5.30pm.

Rain swept across the ground all day on Tuesday and the covers were never taken off the centre wicket square.

West Indies will resume their first innings, weather permitting, at 10am on day four on Wednesday on 7-248, with Denesh Ramdin on 30 and Kemar Roach yet to score.

It also was the wettest and worst-attended of the eight Jane McGrath Days so far.

But Glenn McGrath is hopeful Tuesday's crowd of 7,752 won't hurt his charity's fund-raising efforts too much.

The McGrath Foundation is aiming to raise $380,000 at the third Test between Australia and West Indies.

That amount is enough to fund a breast care nurse for three years.

The donation of Chris Gayle's $10,000 fine will bring the target closer.

However, day three's 'pink day' was abandoned without a single delivery being bowled.

There were only 11.2 overs completed on day two.

"You'd prefer to have cricket being played and more people here," Glenn McGrath said.

"Obviously we generate a bit of money from the ground. Our volunteers walk around and people have been so generous.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens by the end of the Test ... potentially it can have an effect.

"It is a dampener. You can't do much about mother nature can you."

Jane and Glenn McGrath co-founded the McGrath foundation in 2005, when Jane was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31.

The former paceman, who sits second on Australia's list of Test wicket-takers with 563, couldn't remember weather playing such a big role in any SCG clash.

"I'm trying to think when we've had rain like this for a Sydney Test, even when I played," he said.

"I can't think of too many times. But especially in the last eight years, day three has always been pretty good."

Patrons who purchased tickets to day three are entitled to a full refund. Full details here

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