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Two debutants are set to be named in the Australian team for Saturday’s final Test against South Africa on Saturday.
Victorian all-rounder Andrew McDonald and one of two uncapped pacemen Doug Bollinger or Ben Hilfenhaus will replace the injured Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee as Australia seek to avoid a 3-0 whitewash.
New South Wales left-arm speedster Bollinger has the local knowledge and superior record on the SCG, but Proteas coach Micky Arthur felt Tasmanian swing bowler Hilfenhaus would be the logical choice.
“It would be surprising to see Bollinger play to be honest, because what was the point of bringing Hilfenhaus into the squad at the MCG?” Arthur said at the SCG on Thursday.
“He then had to be the next in line surely and then suddenly another bowler comes in.
“So I’d be surprised if they didn’t play Hilfenhaus because then it would have made a mockery of the decision to bring him into the squad at the MCG.
“Bollinger is a good performer … but they put their peg in the ground at the MCG and I think they’ll run with Hilfenhaus. That’s just my gut feeling.”
Australian captain Ricky Ponting may reveal the final XI at his press conference on Friday.
South African vice-captain Ashwell Prince, who missed the first two Tests with a thumb injury, isn’t expected to play.
The left-hander spent just a few minutes facing a throw downs in the nets on Thursday.
However, skipper Graeme Smith is expected to take his place in an unchanged side, despite a lingering elbow problem.
Australia has not lost an SCG Test for six years.
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