Australia vs India: Hosts set to make some glaring changes in Sydney Test

Australia have been topsy-turvy with their performances in the ongoing Test series against India. The hosts, captained by Tim Paine, have shown sparks of brilliance, but the visiting team has been able to get them on the mat. Currently, the Aussies are trailing 1-2 in the four-match series with one match to be played from tomorrow at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and they have plenty of work to do.

Most importantly, they are standing on the brink of the first home Test series defeat against India in 71 years. In the meantime, it has been learned that Australia are set to make quite a few changes going into the last encounter. 22-year-old all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne, who was roped in as a backup after the third Test at MCG, is set to bat at number three in Sydney as per reports in The Herald.

The probable changes

It was learned that he was informed about the same in the team’s final training session. Labuschagne made his international debut in the two-match Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Apart from that, opener Aaron Finch and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh is set to be dropped for the Sydney Test. Marsh played only the last match in Melbourne, but couldn’t deliver with bat and ball.

In fact, he wasn’t even entrusted to bowl in India’s second innings. Finch has scored a half-century in this series, but apart from that, he hasn’t been able to perform as per expectations. Finch, Australia’s limited-overs skipper, made his Test debut against Pakistan back in October this year. Usman Khawaja is set to open with the left-handed Marcus Harris, provided Finch eventually gets dropped.

In the meantime, Peter Handscomb is also set to make his comeback after he was dropped from the Melbourne Test. Recently, the 27-year-old played a match-winning hand of 70, representing Melbourne Stars in their contest against Sydney Sixers and that is likely to keep him in good stead. 2018 didn’t end on a positive note for Australia, however, they would hope to start 2019 on a happy note.

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