Steve Smith has edged closer to playing in the series-deciding third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, with Australia set to bring Matt Renshaw back to open and Cameron Green into the middle order for the clash at Newlands from 7:30pm AEDT on Tuesday 27 October.
The series is locked at 1-1 after Australia won by 214 runs in Durban and South Africa hit back with an innings-and-31-run win in Gqeberha, according to cricket.com.au.
Australia will wait until the toss to confirm their XI, AAP reported, but Renshaw is expected to open alongside Travis Head after Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper were released from the squad to play Sheffield Shield cricket.
Steve Smith’s neck
Smith was troubled by a sore neck during the second Test. AAP reported he batted for around 35 minutes against side-arm throwdowns on Monday before a lengthy break to stretch his neck, then returned for about 10 minutes before ending his session.
Captain Pat Cummins backed the 37-year-old to play through it. “You don’t play 100 odd Test matches without playing Test matches where you’re not 100 per cent fit,” Cummins said, as reported by AAP.
“Even though he is probably not going to be 100 per cent hopefully he can compartmentalise that, like he has done 100 times before with other things, and come out and contribute like he does every week.”
Read more: Cummins concedes Australia were ‘long way from our best’ in Gqeberha horror show
Australia selection calls
Green is back to full fitness after an abdominal strain, while Josh Inglis has recovered from a broken finger, cricket.com.au reported. Green won’t be able to bowl if selected. The ICC also reported Renshaw is in contention to open after Maddinson managed just one score above 10 in four innings.
AAP reported Marnus Labuschagne is set to hold his spot ahead of Inglis, leaving selectors to choose between Cooper Connolly and Beau Webster at No.7. The other big call is the bowling attack, with Nathan Lyon likely to play and Scott Boland at risk of missing out despite his five-wicket haul in Gqeberha.
South Africa XI
The Proteas have named their side, with Gerald Coetzee recalled for his first Test in almost two years in place of the injured Anrich Nortje. It is their only change from the Gqeberha win.
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee.
Read more: Australia Beat South Africa by 214 Runs as Hazlewood Takes 6-49
Newlands record and start times
Australia have won 10 of their 14 Tests at Newlands, but South Africa have won three of the past four meetings there, cricket.com.au reported. It is Australia’s first Test at the ground since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
First ball is at 10:30am local time, which is 7:30pm AEDT, with the second session from 10:10pm AEDT and the third session from 12:30am AEDT. The series is broadcast in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket, with ABC and SEN on radio.
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