- Australia are preparing for another opening game as Maddinson and Harper are released ahead of Ce Town’s decider. Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper have been left out of Australia’s Test squad ahead of the crucial third Test against South Africa at Newlands, CE Town.
- Australia are preparing for a new opening game as Maddinson and Harper are released ahead of the decider in Ce Town. (Source/) Australia will field a new opening combination in the third Test series decider against South Africa after Nic Maddinson and standby wicketkeeper Sam Harper were both released from the touring squad.
- The game is scheduled for October 27-31 at Newlands, Ce Town and starts at 7.30pm. AEDT.
Australia are preparing for another opening game as Maddinson and Harper are released ahead of Ce Town’s decider. Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper have been left out of Australia’s Test squad ahead of the crucial third Test against South Africa at Newlands, CE Town.
Australia are preparing for a new opening game as Maddinson and Harper are released ahead of the decider in Ce Town. (Source/) Australia will field a new opening combination in the third Test series decider against South Africa after Nic Maddinson and standby wicketkeeper Sam Harper were both released from the touring squad. The game is scheduled for October 27-31 at Newlands, Ce Town and starts at 7.30pm. AEDT. The series is one part.
Australia won the first Test by 214 runs before South Africa equalized with a dominant innings win by 31 runs in the second. The game against Ce Town will definitely decide the series. With Maddinson withdrawing, Matthew Renshaw is now in the running for the top spot, while the injury returns of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis make Australia’s final selection even more exciting.
Why were Maddinson and Harper released and where does Renshaw fit in? Maddinson, 34, has managed to reach double figures just once in four innings since his surprise return against the Proteas. This record proved insufficient to retain his place in the decider and he returned to domestic cricket, where he is expected to play for New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania in Hobart.
With Maddinson’s departure, Renshaw is seen as a strong candidate to open the batting at Ce Town and his remaining in the team makes him the favorite for the role. Harper had been retained as cover for first-choice wicketkeeper Alex Carey after Josh Inglis broke a finger. With Inglis now back from that injury, Harper’s presence as an understudy was no longer necessary and he will return to Victoria for the Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland at the Gabba.
What is the team situation with Smith, Green and Labuschagne? Steve Smith is expected to undergo a fitness assessment after suffering a neck problem during the pre-match training session but is understood to be focusing on a place in the playing eleven. The return from injury of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis increases competition for places and puts additional pressure on Marnus Labuschagne to secure his place in the team.
Australia will be aiming to find their best available combination ahead of the toss at Newlands with the series on the line and conditions at Ce Town likely to test both batting line-ups. Australia’s full squad for the third test against South Africa Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
