Australia vs South Africa, 3rd Test – AUS vs SA Cricket Match Preview, Prediction, Where To Watch, Probable XI And Fantasy XI Tips

Home team Australia have dominated South Africa and would look to complete a 3-0 clean sweep with a win in the 3rd Test. 

AUS vs SA 3rd Test: Match Preview:

After ending the first Test inside the first two days, Australia continued their dominance as they thrashed South Africa by an innings and 182 runs in the 2nd Test. David Warner snapped back into form as he smashed a double century. However, the batter injured himself while celebrating his double ton. Alex Carey (111) stepped up with a ton while Steven Smith scored 85 runs. While Cameron Green battled through a finger injury to score 51* runs, Travis Head also maintained his good run, scoring 51 runs. 

Cameron Green was the top bowler in the 2nd Test as he picked his maiden 5-wicket haul to bundle out South Africa for 189 runs in the first innings. In the second innings, Nathan Lyon stepped up with 3 wickets while Scott Boland managed 2 wickets. Pat Cummins, Lyon and Mitchell Starc have registered 8 wickets in the series. 

South Africa are struggling with their batting big time, and only three players managed to reach the 50-run mark against the Aussies in the 2nd Test. While Kyle Verreynne (52) and Marco Jansen (59) tried to steady the batting in the first innings (unsuccessfully), Temba Bavuma registerd 65 runs in the 2nd innings. However, the Proteas' batting has looked miserable and they'll have to step up considerably to avoid a clean sweep. 

Kagiso Rabada has been the star in bowling with 10 wickets to his name in the series, the most amongst all bowlers. Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen have picked up 5 and 4 wickets resepctively and the bowling still looks much better as compared to the batting department. 

AUS vs SA 3rd Test: Match Details

• Date – Wednesday, January 04, 2023
• Time – 05:00 AM IST
• Venue – Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Today's Match Prediction: Who will win today's cricket match? AUS vs SA 3rd Test

Australia have shown utter dominance in the series and would start as favourites to win the 3rd Test and complete 3-0 clean sweep against South Africa. 

AUS vs SA Head-to-Head:

• Total – 100
• Australia – 54
• South Africa – 26
• Draw – 20

AUS vs SA 3rd Test: Where to Watch?

The Test series between Australia and South Africa will be broadcasted by Sony Sports Network while it will be broadcasted digitally on the OTT platform Sony LIV app. 

AUS vs SA 3rd Test Team News:

• AUS – Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green sustained injuries during the 2nd Test and have been sidelined for the 3rd Test. Matthew Renshaw and Ashton Agar have been named in the squad instead. 
• SA – Middle-order batter Theunis de Bruyn has flown back home for the birth of his child and will miss the 3rd Test. Keeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen or batter Rassie van der Dussen can make their place in the playing XI instead.

AUS vs SA 3rd Test Probable Playing XI:

• Australia – David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon
• South Africa – Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Rassie van der Dussen/Heinrich Klaasen, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi

Also Read: SA20, 2023 - Squads & Schedule

AUS vs SA 3rd Test Fantasy XI:

• Wicket-keepers – Kyle Verreyne, Alex Carey
• Batters – Steven Smith, David Warner, Temba Bavuma
• All-rounders – Travis Head, Marco Jansen
• Bowlers – Pat Cummins, Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Lyon, Anrich Nortje