Australia will be gunning for a series whitewash over Pakistan when the sides meet for the third and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of Day 1 from 10:30am (AEDT).
Coming out of Melbourne, Australia have a massive mental advantage over Pakistan because, not only did they win the series in straight sets, but they won it in such a brutal manner.
For four days at the rain-affected Melbourne Cricket Ground, a drawn Test was the most probable and looked like the only possible outcome.
That was before Pakistan capitulated in less than 54 overs – their fifth big collapse in recent times – to surrender the Boxing Day Test and series in an embarrassing manner.
Pakistan were left humiliated and with a captain who admitted he was thinking of his future as the skipper of the side.
At one stage, there were doubts whether Misbah-ul-Haq would resign from his job mid-series and hand over the reins to someone younger, but sanity has prevailed and he will continue through this Sydney Test at the very least.
Australia will hope not only to win this Test but also use it as a building block for their upcoming tour of India. The spin-friendly surface at the SCG should help them in that respect and they have changed their playing XI to reflect what might be seen in India.
The third seamer in Jackson Bird has been given a break with Steve O’Keefe being named to take his spot while the struggling Nic Maddinson has been dropped in favour of Hilton Cartwright – two spinners and a potential all-rounder into the Aussie side.
And if the Australian XI is any indication, it makes a lot of sense for Pakistan to look at their bowling attack as well. Two Tests into the series and Pakistan have taken a total of 23 wickets which isn’t a record they will be terribly proud of given the reputation their fast bowlers had when they landed in the country.
Pakistan haven’t named an XI, but judging by the Australian changes, there is every chance a second spinner might be drafted into the team.
Mohammad Nawaz could be in the reckoning, but it remains to be seen who will he replace while Rahat Ali could come back for Sohail Khan after his poor effort in Melbourne.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the first day in Sydney from 10:30am (AEDT).
Mark
Guest
It is what was said last year with Burns, Voges and Khawaja. Though, not too fair with Voges and his age, but let's hope Ren and Han can play spin unlike Burns and Voges.
swift foetus
Guest
u wot m8?
Craig Swanson
Guest
There were two highly contrasting Australian century makers today. Warner with his belligerent record onslaut that hit the opposition like a bombshell. While Renshaw's sublime, patient century was of the highest quality.. a century for every cricket purist. A great feat of concentration for a rookie 20 year old.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A monetary fine aside, if he decides to retire after this game, won't be of any use anyway.
rock
Guest
There's questions about the majority of our batsmen in the subcontinent, he was not the only to struggle in Sri Lanka but was as usual the scapegoat for selectors. He's easily our third best bat in the country so I fail to see how the jury would be out on his spot.
Rob JM
Guest
There certainly are still question marks about Khawaja ability in the sub continent. It would be tough to drop either of them for the first test since Marsh has not been on the field to prove his form.
Rob JM
Guest
Must have lost a few minutes when Renshaw got hit in the head.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Another over rates penalty coming for Misbah I would say
Rock
Guest
Skull O'Keefe about 10mins ago, "this looks like the top 5 now for Australia going forward, but the jury is still out on Khawaja at 3". Of there's a jury that's still out about Khawaja, they all literally must be blind. What a stupid comment by O'Keefe
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
That's that then, stumps at the SCG with Australia on top. Been Australia's day all around. David Warner set it up nicely when he became just the fifth batsman in the history of Test cricket to score a century in the first session of a Test. Warner and Usman Khawaja fell soon after in the second session while Steven Smith failed to convert his start as well but that was all the success that Pakistan had. Matt Renshaw, playing just the fourth Test of his career, joined hands with Pete Handscomb and added more than a 100, unbeaten for the fourth wicket. Handscomb takes the honours of the day with his unbeaten 167. His was a sedate start but once he had the measure of the surface and the bowling, he got going and finishes with a strike-rate of more than 60. That aside, and more importantly, he has batted all day, at the age of 20, and not offered any chances to the opposition. An innings of a lot of substance and one that should hold him in a good stead for the future. Pakistan have much to do on day two but it does look like their flailing morale needs lifting. Tomorrow could be a long, long day otherwise. Back tomorrow for the second day's play at the SCG. Good night.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Thumped! Four! Renshaw had played a hoick last game against Yasir to get out but this one, he hits it over mid-off and gets himself a four. Doesn't even have to use his feet to get down to the pitch - was full enough. That follows a late cut from Handscomb which had earned him three. Nine from the Yasir over. 3/365 in 88.
brains of a bimbo (atgm)
Guest
Pak hving a very poor day.
steve
Guest
This notion was ridiculous to begin with. Not droppable now.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Change in the bowling. Yasir Shah takes over from Wahab, who bowled just one over in that spell.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A much better from Amir, late in the day, and has Handscomb groping outside the off. Misses the outside edge off the last ball as well. Might not get the entire set of 90 overs in today. 87 done with about 3 minutes remaining. 3/356 in 87.
brains of a bimbo (atgm)
Guest
Hahahahahaha
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A bouncer that's called wide and a single in that first over from Riaz in this spell. 3/355 in 86
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
A single from the Amir over. Interesting to see that each of Pakistan's third seamer in this series - Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan or Imran Khan - has had a problem returning to the bowling crease and bowling at full throllte in his later spells. Wahab Riaz takes up the attack now.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Shot, and another four. That's what you get when you bowl at sub-130 speeds and then lose your lines as well. On the Handscomb pads and most batsmen would be sending thank you cards to the bowler for doling this out. 3/352 in 84
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Imran Khan's pace isn't something that's going to test the batsmen. He's floating them up a tad instead of hitting them hard... ...and gets driven down the ground for a couple by Renshaw before being cut away for a single through the covers. 3/348 in the 84th, with the stand having already gotten up to 104.