Australia will host Pakistan in the final test of this three-match series on Wednesday, as the hosts attempt to complete a 3-0 clean sweep.
The popular Pink Test will be David Warner’s last in test cricket, so expect the dynamic opener to go out with a bang!
Josh Nevett takes a close look at the contest with his free preview and cricket betting tips below.
Australia vs Pakistan 3rd Test Preview & Betting Tips
SCG, Sydney, Wednesday January 3rd, 10:30am (AEDT)
Squads
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner
Pakistan: Shan Masood (c), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi
Match Preview
Australia have secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in this three-match series after downing Pakistan by 79 runs in a thrilling Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
A bowler friendly pitch produced a see-sawing affair, with neither team pulling clear, before things became even more tense on the final day.
A late collapse sealed the result for Australia, with Pat Cummins taking 5/49 as the visitors lost 5/18 in their pursuit of 317.
Captain Cummins was the top performer over the five days – he took 10 wickets for the match in a dominant display.
Plenty of different batsmen made contributions, but Mitch Marsh was the most consistent. Marsh scored 41 and 96 for a total of 137 runs, falling just short of a second innings century in front of his family.
Shan Masood was Pakistan’s best with the bat – he raised the bat twice, finishing with 54 and 60. Left-armers Shaheen Afridi and Mir Hamza made the ball talk in both innings, reducing Australia to 4/16 in the second dig while combining for 12 wickets in the match.
It was a fitting result for the occasion, with fans kept interested right until the final ball of the match.
Many will be hoping for the same at the SCG, and I expect both teams to pick a similar XI for this final test.
Australia have promised to go in unchanged for David Warner’s farewell test, and Pakistan may do the same.
Considering the importance of this SCG test to Australia – it will be the annual ‘pink’ test, and David Warner’s last – the hosts will be hugely motivated and present some value to sweep the series 3-0.
Player Prop Bets
David Warner, one of Australia’s greatest ever batsmen, will make his final appearance in the five-day format at the SCG after a distinguished 12-year career. Warner will be eager to perform in front of his home crowd in this match, and I expect him to do so considering he averages nearly 50 at the venue.
David Warner Over 31.5 1st Innings Runs – $1.83 (Ladbrokes)
If we are going to ride Warner in his farewell test, why not do it properly? Reports are that this SCG pitch is a better batting wicket than in years gone by, and Warner has already scored four test tons at this ground. Therefore, a fairytale finish presents great value.
To Score 100 in 1st Inns – David Warner $5 (Ladbrokes)
