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Can Australia whitewash the series 3-0 or will South Africa salvage something from a disappointing tour? Follow all the action of the third Test between at the Sydney Cricket Ground here on The Roar from 10:30am (AEDT).
Australia have played flawless cricket this summer against both the West Indies and South Africa and will be looking to continue that winning form ahead of tours to India and England.
Overall, it has been a difficult tour for the Proteas. They’ve never looked settled and have found it hard to make any impact in either Test match. In Melbourne it seemed like they didn’t mentally apply themselves to the task at hand. They will need to do that if they’re to avoid a series whitewash – their first in Australia since 2001.
Australia will be forced into making two changes, with Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green both out injured. It’s a shame for them as they have both been performing well. The positive is it provides opportunities for others.
Ashton Agar and Matt Renshaw were both added into the Australian squad last week, with Agar set to fill the spot of Green as a spin bowler and all-rounder. Fast bowler Lance Morris could make his Test debut in place of Starc.
The next selection dilemma facing Australia is whether to stick with Scott Boland or pick Josh Hazlewood. I feel if Hazlewood is fit, you pick him, otherwise Boland has shown he’s more than capable at this level.
South Africa is set to make one change, with Theunis de Bruyn having returned home to see the birth of his first child. Rassie van der Dussen, who went out for de Bruyn in Melbourne, might come straight back in; but the Proteas might try something different altogether and bring in aggressive batter and back-up wicketkeeper Henrich Klaasen.
Whoever they decide on they will need to commit fully to the task. South Africa should aim to bat a whole day. Thus far in the series, once they’ve lost one wicket, they seem to collapse.
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Prediction
Australia is on top of their game, so I can’t see any other result than a home side win; unless, Sydney rain comes once again, in which case it might be a draw.
Game information
Venue: SCG First ball: 10:30am (AEDT) TV: Fox Cricket, Seven Network Streaming: Foxtel Go, Kayo Sports Betting: Australia $1.33, draw $4.40, South Africa $8.00 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Australia
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
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South Africa (predicted)
Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Heinrich Klaasen, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.
