Captain Pat Cummins said Tuesday that Australia has settled on the team for the final Test against South Africa in Sydney and indicated that he is leaning towards playing two spinners.
Cummins said he would confirm his XI when he was dropped ahead of Wednesday’s match while highlighting the spin-friendly nature of the Sydney Cricket Ground and the fact it could be a suitable lead-up to the tour of India next month.
It boosts the prospect of Ashton Agar being recalled to partner 458-wicket-taker Nathan Lyon in the twin-spin attack at the SCG for the first time since 2017.
‘weeded out’
“I don’t think WACA (Perth) is the type of pace bowling-friendly wicket out there, so we’ll see,” he told reporters.
“Yesterday we had a very good look in goal, we just want to see it again today 24 hours.
“It hasn’t really changed yet. He has taken more grass. I know the SCG is historically famous for rolling a bit and I think that might be the case this week.
Cummins’ sentiments suggest that West Australian paceman Lance Morris, nicknamed the “Wild Thing”, may not make his debut in place of the injured Mitchell Starc in the last South Africa Test.
Elgar favors a six-five split
South Africa captain Dean Elgar said he was reluctant to play an extra batsman because of the extra pressure it would put on four specialist bowlers.
“I’d still go for a six-five split, but all options are still on the table,” Elgar said on Tuesday.
“It will be a big call, a big question on the four bowlers because they did some big numbers in the last Test, a lot of overs.”
Number three Theunis de Bruyn’s early departure from Australia for family reasons has left the tour selectors with a choice between recalling Rassie van der Dussen or Heinrich Klaasen.
“Talk is cheap and we have to go out and do it, make amends for what has happened so far,” said Elgar, who will finalize the team on Wednesday.
Cummins backed speedsters Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland to support him in attacking the new ball and making the most of any reverse swing available as the pitch became more abrasive in wear and tear.
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“Maybe we will get more spin over here. Our batters will obviously face more spin here as well,” he said.
“The captaincy here may be different from the last few Test matches. It is a good preparation for India.
“It’s a big connection with India. I think with the fast bowling, the reverse swing will come, which we can expect in India.
Another option for the selectors is to bring in Matthew Renshaw to expand the batting in the manner of Hazlewood or Boland.
There was a match-eve scare when star batsman Steve Smith was struck with a painful blow to the finger during nets practice.
Smith appeared to back off in pain and threw his glove to the ground after a hit from head coach Andrew McDonald. After checking his hand, Smith continued to bat.
Cummins said he was unaffected by the rain forecast for the opening days of the Sydney Test.
“The pitch is the main thing. I think in the last few years the weather has not played the ball with the forecast,” he said.
Australia has wrapped up the three-match series, after hammering the Proteas by an innings and 182 runs in Melbourne after a six-wicket rotting in the opener in Brisbane in two days.