South Africa vs Australia, 4th Test - Australia Predicted XI

Cricket Australia has banned Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft for their involvement in the ball-tampering scandal. This left the entire team in shambles and a whole lot of changes had to be made in a short span of time. Joe Burns, Glenn Maxwell, and Matt Renshaw have been flown into South Africa as a replacement for the banned cricketers.

It really is an emotional time for Australian cricket and Tim Paine has been appointed as the Test captain to lead them in these precarious hours. South Africa didn’t let this opportunity go in vain and pounded hard on them to take a 2-1 lead in the series. The Aussies looked shattered in light of the events that have occurred and succumbed horribly in the third Test.

The Proteas will be bidding adieu to one of their finest ever bowlers Morne Morkel, who is set to hang his boots after this Test match. They also find themselves in a wonderful position to register their first-ever Test series win against the Aussies on their home soil. As it stands, only a miracle can help Australia level the series. Let’s take a look at the predicted XI of the Aussies.

Openers – Matt Renshaw and Joe Burns

They might be coming here to replace the penalized cricketers, fact also remains that they will not get a better opportunity to prove themselves. Warner and Bancroft are out of action for at least a year and nine months respectively, which means Renshaw and Burns will open the innings for Australia in this period.

Both the players kick-started their International careers on a decent note but lacked consistency. Burns has been performing well in the domestic cricket and same is the case with Renshaw. This is an unexpected chance for both these youngsters and they should be trying to seize it with both hands.

Middle order – Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Tim Paine (C and wk)

Steve Smith‘s absence leaves a massive void in the middle order. They currently have two options in Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb to replace Smith and Handscomb as it stands seems a better option. Shaun Marsh, being the most experienced player in the middle order right now, will take up the number 4 spot whilst Usman Khawaja will continue at number 3.

Handscomb lost his place in the side after some fairly inconsistent performances but now has an opportunity worth a diamond to prove himself. Newly minted skipper Paine will be taking the number 7 spot and he has a crucial role to play not just with the bat and the gloves, but also to boost his side that is psychologically damaged at this point.

All-rounder – Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh at his prime is probably one of the best all-rounders in the world. The youngster has the capability to pick up crucial wickets with the old ball and also tends to spank the ball a long distance. He will bat at 6 and bowl a good 20 overs for his captain. The younger Marsh is quite a fearless customer and tends to approach every format in a similar way with the bat. He never misses out on a half chance to hit a boundary and his knock against England in the Ashes was a testament of his ability.

Bowlers – Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Mitchell Starc is probably the best player in the lineup right now and has a lot of pressure on him to perform well. The left-arm bowler has been doing a fine job thus far and it’ll be interesting to see how he copes with the pressure that is currently loitering around his team.

Nathan Lyon is another player who the captain will rely heavily on to provide breakthroughs. Accompanying Starc in the fast bowling trio are Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. They certainly form a deadly trio, but will they pull off something spectacular to level the series is the biggest conundrum.

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