AUS v SA, 3rd Test Preview: Australia set to take a chance with youth at Adelaide

With controversy engulfing the final Test match at Adelaide, the Australia team management is all set to take the bull by the horns and make amends for the series that has already been lost. While Australia has their selection issues at the moment, the Proteas seem to be dealing with problems of their own. Faf du Plessis may be playing the match at Adelaide, but the war with the ICC is far from over.

While one would certainly not want to tangle on the pitch activities to the controversies happening off the pitch, the fact of the matter remains that history will be created at Adelaide, to say the least. Skipper Faf du Plessis also went on to mention in the pre-match presser that this could very well be their first and potentially last Day/Night Test match as well.

Moreover, the Australians have a decent record at Adelaide having won four of their last five matches with the fifth match being succumbed to a draw. With so much at stake in this final episode of the Australia v South Africa Test series, it seems quite clear to assume that an exciting encounter is most certainly on the cards. Whether the off-field spats take a toll on the outcome of the Test, however unlikely, remains to be seen.

Team Analysis

Australia

With a new Australian selection panel comes new and sweeping changes. Australia coach Darren Lehmann had previously mentioned that only four players including skipper Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner, fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood, and solitary spinner Nathan Lyon. Usman Khawaja is the only other player to keep his place apart from the obvious ones retained.

Although Trevor Hohns has an impeccable record as chief selector, even the current team selection is somewhat of a taboo in Australian cricket. It has been five years since three Australian players were handed the Baggy Greens’ together and a while since there has been such an upheaval in the Australian team. Among the debutants on the day, only Nic Maddinson has donned the Australian colors previously having played 2 T20Is for the Aussies.

David Warner was quite coy when asked about Matt Renshaw, his new opening partner on the day. Moreover, with Peter Handscomb moving mountains in domestic cricket, it seems quite clear that he has definitely earned his place in the side. The selection of Matthew Wade and Jackson Bird come as non-surprises with many questioning the selections of Joe Mennie and Peter Nevill.

South Africa

Unlike their opponents, the Proteas have a very different problem. With the fines and sanctions imposed on skipper Faf du Plessis, it is clear that the South Africans are quite shaken. Although du Plessis will take the field in what would be South Africa’s tryst with the Day/Night Test, it seems quite clear that the mood wouldn’t be quite the same in spite of the fact that the Proteas have already clinched the series 2-0.

As far as team selection goes, the Proteas would be expected to stick to the similar nucleus of the side that has been prevalent in the first two matches. Perhaps the only changes could potentially come in the bowling department given the fact that the Adelaide Oval wicket and the pink ball have assisted the pacers from time to time.

Morne Morkel could find himself coming in to replace Kagiso Rabada as the latter has shown signs of fatigue in recent times. Tabraiz Shamsi could also find himself being called into the side to replace Keshav Maharaj given the former’s impressive variations that have been a hallmark of his bowling in recent times.

Playing XI (Probable)

Australia: Steve Smith (C), Matthew Wade (WK), David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Nic Maddinson, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Dean Elgar, Stephen Cook, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Temba Bavuma, Vernon Philander, Kyle Abbott, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi/Keshav Maharaj

StAttack:

1. The last time three players were handed a debut for Australia in a Test match was in December 2011 against New Zealand at Brisbane. David Warner, Mitchell Starc, and James Pattinson debuted in the match.

2. David Warner requires 73 runs to complete 1000 Test match runs against South Africa. The Australian vice-captain is also 153 runs away from 5000 Test runs. Warner’s counterpart, Faf du Plessis requires 101 runs to complete 2000 Test match runs.

3. The last time South Africa won at the Adelaide Oval was in 1964. Moreover, Australia has won four of their last five matches at this venue.

4. Vernon Philander requires 10 wickets to complete 150 Test match wickets. His teammate Kagiso Rabada is 9 scalps shy of 50 Test wickets.

5. Quinton de Kock requires 2 more dismissals to complete 50 Test dismissals.