Australia have an opportunity to complete off the sequence towards South Africa with a clear sweep when the SCG Take a look at will get underway immediately.
After back-to-back dominant shows the Aussies introduced a number of adjustments to the squad for the useless rubber.
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With a restricted quick tempo assault on supply, the Aussies will look to their spinners on a Sydney wicket that hasn’t been seen in over a decade.
The visiting South Africans will likely be hoping to finish the tour on a excessive word earlier than they depart, however will likely be reliant on their batting line-up performing a significant 180.
The primary ball is about to be bowled at 10:30am (AEDT), don’t miss a second of the motion.
10am – Australia win toss, elect to bat
Pat Cummins has gained the toss and elected to bat first with the Aussie skipper naming three adjustments to the workforce from the Boxing Day workforce as they sit up for a tour in India.
“Seems extra a conventional SCG wicket. It would flip a little bit bit, so in all probability at its greatest on day one. Scotty misses out. Most likely as shut as we’re going to get to India, so it’ll be good to see Agar have a go,” Cummins mentioned.
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
9:30am – SCG pitch ’by no means seen something prefer it’
The SCG hasn’t been a form taking part in floor for spinners in years passed by, however the curator has thrown up a dry wicket which might swing a key change.
Ashton Agar was promoted into the taking part in squad and with the Aussies trying to put together for a tour of India, the pitch might be the proper lead in for the spinner.
With accidents to Mitchell Starc and Cameron Inexperienced opening the door, the selectors additionally opted to depart out Scott Boland with Agar, Matt Renshaw and Josh Hazlewood being elevated.
Talking earlier than play Alyssa Healy couldn’t imagine what she had seen after venturing out and working her eye over the SCG pitch.
“Going out and looking out on the wicket a bit earlier, it’s actually dry and will crumble fairly shortly. I’ve by no means seen something prefer it in my lifetime,” she mentioned on Fox Cricket.
“It wouldn’t shock me if there may be a whole lot of spin bowling within the Australian assault.”
Fox Cricket’s Kerry O’Keeffe mentioned spin would play a key function.
“This might be a battle of the sluggish males,” he mentioned on Fox Sports activities Information.
“All people thought that this sequence could also be gained by the faster males and it has been determined by the Australian quick males (thus far) however in these subsequent 5 days the sluggish males might come into their very own.”
O’Keeffe mentioned it was an enormous take a look at for Agar forward of a tour of India in February.
“This can be a Take a look at trial for him … Agar has a giant alternative to be that second spinner to India,” he mentioned.
“He’s develop into a T20 specialist – … and his numbers in T20 cricket are unbelievable. His Take a look at numbers are much less so … he’s unproven and hasn’t performed a Take a look at for numerous years however they (Australian selectors) just like the lower of his jib”
