Australia makes three changes for Test decider as Smith faces fitness doubt
Nic Maddinson sent home after recording two ducks and one score of 48 across his four innings.
Australia has dropped Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper for the third Test against South Africa, ending an unexpected opener experiment that failed to pay off. Maddinson recorded two ducks and scores of 8 and 48 across four innings as the surprise choice to partner Travis Head at the top of the order.
Matt Renshaw has been elevated from the middle order to open after scoring a century in the first Test. This move matches Australia's plan to drop only-his-second-Test player Cooper Connolly into the team, where Cameron Green and Connolly replace departing batters and bowlers.
Scott Boland drops out despite taking 5-81 in the second Test and batting as a nightwatchman for three hours. The bigger concern is Steve Smith, who may miss the Test due to a neck injury from the second match.
The third Test begins Tuesday, October 27, at 7pm AEDT in Cape Town.
- Two ducks, 8, and 48
- Maddinson's scores in four innings
- 5-81
- Boland's bowling in second Test
- Second Test
- Connolly's Test number
Why it mattersSmith is Australia's most reliable batter; if he cannot play, the team's batting order becomes unstable at a crucial stage of the series.
AustraliaAustralian cricket fans face uncertainty about whether their team's best player will be fit for the series-deciding match against a strong South African side.
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