Australia has added two players for the last Test against South Africa on January 4. Matt Renshaw and Ashton Agar are among the 14-man squad.
Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc missed the final Test with finger problems. Anrich Nortje’s thunderbolt in the second Test may require surgery for Green. Starc tore a ligament in Melbourne’s opening inning.
Agar hasn’t played red-ball cricket for Australia since September 2017. Mitchell Swepson replaced the injured West Australian all-rounder for the Sri Lanka trip in July.
Renshaw has opened in all 11 Tests but might replace Green in the middle. Last season, the southpaw batted well for Queensland in the middle order. Last Test against South Africa.
Australia’s pace-bowling stocks are stable with Josh Hazlewood and Lance Morris. With Sydney’s track set to favour spin, Agar remains the frontrunner for the third Test.
Tony Dodemaide, the selector, said:
“Matthew is a talented batsman who recently scored an undefeated century for the PM’s XI against the West Indies. Josh’s comeback is a blessing, and Lance’s speed and technique set him apart.” This squad will analyse the conditions in Sydney closer to the Test match.
After a 182-run win at the MCG, the top-ranked Test team leads the three-match series 2-0. That followed a 6-wicket win in Brisbane.
Australia’s final Test squad
Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), David Warner
