If Scott Boland is the second-highest run-scorer in the innings, then there must be some hard questioning done on the makeup of the Australia playing XI for the SA vs AUS 3rd Test.
After registering a thumping 214-run victory in the first Test in Durban, Australia were blown away in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs despite having South Africa struggling at 110/6 in their first innings.
Temba Bavuma produced arguably his finest Test century before the bowlers, led by the terrific Marco Jansen and the merciless Kagiso Rabada, downed the visitors.
When and where is the South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test?
With the series locked at 1-1, the two teams travel to Cape Town for the third and series-deciding Test match, which is scheduled to begin on October 27, Tuesday, at the Newlands stadium.
Following the depressing defeat in the 2nd Test, Cummins is expected to ring in multiple changes to the playing XI.
SA vs AUS: 3 Changes Pat Cummins Might Make In The Australia Playing XI for 3rd Test
Nathan Lyon In, Josh Hazlewood Out
Hazlewood suffered illness during the 2nd Test in Durban and sent down only 14 overs in South Africa’s innings of 127.1 overs. Each of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland bowled over 24 overs, while Beau Webster was called upon to deliver 19 overs. Part-timers Matt Renshaw, Nic Maddinson, and Marnus Labuschagne also were required to assist the big three seamers.
Nathan Lyon was benched for the Durban Test as Australia opted for a four-man pace attack. On the other hand, South Africa’s off-spinner Simon Harmer chipped in with two wickets in his 39-over performance during Australia’s second innings.
Given Hazlewood has now played back-to-back Tests, it’s very likely that he will be rested from a third consecutive game, with Lyon all but certain to return to the Australia playing XI.
Cameron Green In, Nic Maddinson Out
Recalled after a decade, left-hander Nic Maddinson managed scores of 0, 48, 0, and 8 in the first two SA vs AUS Tests, and might lose his place in the playing XI to Cameron Green.
Green, who missed the two matches due to an abdominal injury, is expected to be fit for the third Test, although he won’t be available to bowl. In such a case, there could be some shuffling in the batting order: either Labuschagne would open with Travis Head, or Renshaw could be bumped up the order once again to the opening position.
Marnus will, in all likelihood, retain his place in the side: he’s Australia’s third-highest scorer in the two Tests and has got good starts in three of his four innings but was dismissed in the 30s in all three of them. Plus, his 67-Test experience counts for a lot.
He received backing from Cummins, but the Aussie skipper was also vocal in the expectations he has from his senior batsman.
“I think the hardest thing about opening or batting three is actually getting yourself in. Balls are normally doing a fair bit and you’ve got fresh bowlers. He’s actually doing the hard bit; he’s getting to 30. I think he’s got to find a way to turn those into bigger scores: 30s aren’t going to win you many matches,” Cummins said.
Josh Inglis/Cooper Connolly In, Beau Webster Out
Unless Australia value the overs Beau Webster sent down in two Tests – he’s bowled 25 overs and taken one wicket – the all-rounder could find himself out of the Australia playing XI in Cape Town.
Webster has managed 64 runs in four innings, and his technique has seemed ill-equipped on the South African pitches.
Josh Inglis, who was unavailable until now owing to a finger injury, is fit again and could slot in as a proper batsman in the lineup in the SA vs AUS 3rd Test. Given Australia’s batting struggles, the think tank might want to strengthen the batting department with a batsman over an all-rounder.
There is also the theory of playing a disruptor in Cooper Connolly, having observed how Marco Jansen’s counter-attack in South Africa’s only innings in the 2nd Test took the Australian bowlers off guard.
The 23-year-old has a strike rate of 64 in FC cricket and 142 in T20s. He could also contribute with his left-arm spin bowling.
SA vs AUS: Australia playing XI for 3rd Test – Predicted
- Travis Head
- Matt Renshaw
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Cameron Green
- Josh Inglis/Cooper Connolly/Beau Webster
- Alex Carey (wk)
- Pat Cummins (C)
- Mitchell Starc
- Nathan Lyon
- Scott Boland
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