Australia vs. South Africa: Third Test Preview

The final encounter of Australia and South Africa’s three-Test series begins at the Sydney Cricket Ground tomorrow morning at 10:30am local time as the hosts eye a rare series whitewash.

The Australians are fresh off an innings and 182-run victory in Melbourne which saw opener David Warner claim the Mullagh Medal in his 100th Test thanks to a gutsy, first-innings 200 in sweltering heat.

The South Africans, meanwhile, were left with some soul searching to do after their first defeat by an innings in Australia in 24 years.

A win in Sydney would see Australia secure a spot in June’s World Test Championship Final provided no future points reductions hamper their cause.

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South Africa – who found themselves in second on the World Test Championship standings prior to the series – are in desperate need of a win of their own if they are to keep their slim hopes alive.

India – who Australia will face in the four-Test Border-Gavaskar series in February – firm as likely World Test Championship finalists.

Australia have been forced into several changes after Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc both sustained finger injuries in Melbourne.

Due to the pitch conditions in Sydney, there is also a possibility that Australia opt to play two spinners.

With the toss less than 24 hours away, the expectation is that Matthew Renshaw and Ashton Agar – who were added to the squad several days ago – replace Green and Starc.

Renshaw debuted for Australia as a 20-year-old opener against South Africa in 2016 and has 11 Tests under his belt scoring 636 runs at an average of 33.47.

His last appearance in the baggy green was against South Africa in Johannesburg in March 2018 in the aftermath of the team’s ball-tampering saga.

In eight Sheffield Shield innings this season, Renshaw has scored 310 runs at 51.67.

Agar, meanwhile, made his Test debut for Australia against England at Trent Bridge in 2013 where he famously scored 98 in a 163-run, 10th-wicket stand alongside Phillip Hughes.

He also played a Test at Lord’s in the same Ashes before playing his only two other Tests in Bangladesh in 2017.

He has nine Test wickets to his name at an average of 45.55.

Agar has been a more regular fixture in Australia’s ODI and T20I teams in recent years and will be eager to lock down a spot in Australia’s Test squad as they prepare for India – famous for its spin-friendly pitches – next month.

Veteran quick Josh Hazlewood is also nearing a return from a side strain that kept him out of the Brisbane and Melbourne Tests with cult hero Scott Boland likely to make way.

Lance Morris will likely have to wait for his Test call-up after spending much of the summer a part of the squad.

As for South Africa, Theunis de Bruyn – who replaced Rassie van der Dussen in Melbourne – has returned home for the birth of his first child.

Van der Dussen is a shot at replacing de Bruyn with reserve wicketkeeper Heinrich Klassen also an option.

Offspinner Simon Harmer may also come into calculations should the Proteas opt to run with two spinners.

Australia enter the match as short-priced favourites after a big win in Melbourne with bookmakers expecting the hosts to sweep the series before jetting off to India next month.