The Australian team has included Ashton Agar and Matthew Renshaw to the 14-man squad for the third and final Test match of the series against South Africa.
Australia Squad For 3rd Test vs South Africa
During the South Africa tour of Australia, a total of 3 tests and 3 ODIs were scheduled to play between December – January 2023.
Australia won the first test by 6 wickets and takes a lead in the series. The second Test which started on December 26 sees many ups and down on both sides, particularly on the Australian side. The hosts opted to bowl after winning the toss and executed an impressive bowling attack.
After SA’s top-order collapse, Verreynne and Marco Jansen made a 112 runs stand which was broken by Cameron Green. Starc bowled only 13 overs and bagged 2 wickets and didn’t bowl any further as Cameron Green with his first test five-wicket haul ended South Africa’s inning at 189 runs.
Australia’s 1st inning left everyone in awe after David Warner secured his 3rd Test double-century on the 2nd day of the match. With Alex Carey’s maiden Test century Australia scored 575 runs for 8 wickets and declared.
With Australia’s impressive bowling attack, the hosts beat South Africa by an innings and 182 runs and seals the series victory.
After Cameron Green injured his finger while batting in the 2nd Test he was restricted from bowling in SA’s 2nd inning and was ruled out of the third test and ongoing BBL 2022-23 tournament.
While Australian pacer Mitchell Starc too missed the third and final Test after sustaining a finger injury in his bowling arm.
The National selectors added Renshaw and Agar in hopes of bolstering their injury-hit squad ahead of the Sydney Test against South Africa.
“Matthew is included as a versatile batting option who is in good form, including an unbeaten century in the recent PM’s XI tour match against the West Indies. Ashton offers a second spin option should the Sydney pitch be conducive to turn, as it has done in the past. He also brings a solid batting component,” said selector Tony Dodemaide.
“It’s a blessing to have Josh (Hazlewood) returning while Lance (Morris) offers a genuine point of difference with his raw pace and skill. This squad will cover all bases for when we get to Sydney and assess the conditions closer to the Test match,” he added.
Renshaw made his Test debut in November 2016 as a 20-year-old, scoring a maiden century against Pakistan at the SCG later that summer. But following a disappointing Test tour of Bangladesh in 2017, he was axed in favour of Cameron Bancroft.
Renshaw took a break from cricket in early 2020 after being dropped from Queensland’s Sheffield Shield side but has been one of the Bulls’ most prolific run-scorers since his return.
The 26-year-old is averaging 51.66 in the Sheffield Shield this summer, scoring an unbeaten double-century against New South Wales in Sydney.
Renshaw then turned heads during last month’s Prime Minister’s XI match against the West Indies in Canberra, smacking 81 and 101 not out against the pink Kookaburra.
“I am ready,” Renshaw told AAP when asked about the possibility of a Test re-call earlier this month.
“The last few years I have definitely re-thought about how I go about my cricket.
“The Aussie stuff is important but you can get caught up with your mindset and trying to play for that, rather than just playing for my team and doing well for Queensland.
“That is the big learning I have had, along with enjoying my cricket. If (a Test recall) comes then it comes. It will take care of itself.”
The 3rd Test match of the South Africa tour of Australia will kick start on January 4 at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.
Australia’s squad for Sydney Test against South Africa
Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, David Warner
