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Queensland batter Matt Renshaw could play his first Test in more than three years after earning a recall to the Australian squad for next week’s series finale against South Africa at the SCG.
Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar is also in the mix for inclusion in the final XI after he was also named in a 14-man squad for the clash with Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green ruled out due to finger injuries.
Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood is likely to return to the side after recovering from a minor side strain after sitting out the past three Test wins over the West Indies and Proteas.
Young speedster Lance Morris is a strong chance of making his Test debut after coach Andrew McDonald indicated earlier this week that he was keen to see the West Australian get a chance at the top level.
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Renshaw, who played the last of his 11 Tests on the South African tour of 2018, has been one of the leading batters at Sheffield Shield level this season and his ability to shift between opener and the middle order is a feather in his cap as the selectors may bring him in at No.6 to replace Green if they go with only four frontline bowlers in Sydney.
Matt Renshaw. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Victorian left-hander Marcus Harris has also been retained in the squad but is seen as more of a specialist opener.
Renshaw, 26, was rushed into the Australian team in 2016 at the side’s lowest ebb during a home series collapse to the Proteas alongside Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson.
He made a century and three half-centuries in compiling 636 runs at 33.47 before a form slump not only led to him being dropped from the Australian team but he was dumped by Queensland in 2020 as he struggled to find runs.
Agar’s best chance of playing would be as the second spinner if the SCG looks like it will turn more than it has in recent years.
He could fill a role as a No.7 batter with keeper Alex Carey bumped up the order after his breakthrough Test century in the win at the MCG.
Agar has had an unusual career at Test level – he made a spectacular 98 on debut, batting at No.11, as a 19-year-old in the 2013 Ashes tour opener, played the next match but has only ever been picked twice since, during the 2017 series in Bangladesh.
The 29-year-old, has represented Australia 67 times in the white-ball arena, is a strong chance to be Australia’s second spinner behind Nathan Lyon in February’s four-Test tour of India.
Selector Tony Dodemaide said: “Ashton offers a second spin option should the Sydney pitch be conducive to turn, as it has done in the past. He also brings a solid batting component.
“Matthew is included as a versatile batting option who is in good form, including an unbeaten century in the recent PM’s XI tour match against the West Indies.
“In terms of fast bowlers, it’s a blessing to have Josh (Hazlewood) returning while Lance (Morris) offers a genuine point of difference with his raw pace and skill.
“This squad will cover all bases for when we get to Sydney and assess the conditions closer to the Test match.”
Australia will start heavy favourites to complete a clean sweep over the Proteas after thumping them in the first two clashes.
(Photo by Mark Brake – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Pat Cummins(c)
Ashton Agar
Scott Boland
Alex Carey
Marcus Harris
Josh Hazlewood
Travis Head
Usman Khawaja
Marnus Labuschagne
Nathan Lyon
Lance Morris
Matt Renshaw
Steve Smith
David Warner