Australia start well against South Africa on Day 1 of the New Year Test Match | Australia vs South Africa 2023 – Day 1

Australia vs South Africa 2023 – Day 1

Match: Australia vs. South Africa | Third Test Match 2023 | Day 1

Dates: 4^th January 2023 – 8^th January 2023

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)

Teams – Playing XIs:

South Africa’s playing XI – 3^nd Test Match | Australia vs South Africa:

Dean Elgar ©, Sarel Erwee, Heinrich Klaasen, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

South Africa made two changes to their team from the second test match. Henrich Klassen was brought back into the South African side in place of De Bruyn. Te other change was the inclusion of the spinner Simon Harmer in place of Lungi Ngidi.

Australia’s playing XI – 3rd Test Match | Australia vs South Africa:

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins©, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

Australia made three changes to their side from the second test match against South Africa. Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green missed out due to injury concerns. A pleasant change for the team was the return of the premier fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. This will be Hazelwood’s first home test this season. Matt Renshaw and Agar were included as well.

Toss:

Australian Captain Pat Cummins had won the toss and decided to bat first at the SCG pitch. The decision was made because the wicket is expected to turn on the 4^th and 5^th Day. That’s the reason why both teams included two spinners in their side.

World Test Championship Scenarios| India | Australia | South Africa:

The test match is important because of the crucial world test championship points. These points will become crucial for the qualification of the final of the ICC World Test Championship.

Australia currently sit happily at the top of the World Test Championship points table. If Australia win the 3^rd test match at Sydney, they will directly qualify for the final.

India are currently second on the World Test Championship points table. They just need to do well in the home series against Australia to secure their berth.

South Africa must win the 3^rd test match if they want to remain in the race for final.

South Africa must win the 3^rd test match if they want to remain in the race for final.

Match Report – Day 1 of the 3^rd Test Match | Australia vs South Africa:

Australia start well on Day 1 of the Sydney Test Match:

Australian batters started well on the 1^st Day of the Sydney Test Match. David Warner had started quickly with two boundaries early on. However, Anrich Nortje disturbed him outside his off stump as Warner edged a ball to the first slip. Marco Jansen held onto the ball and sent Warner back to the pavilion.

This was the only success that the South Africans had early on. Labuschagne joined Usman Khawaja at the crease. The two batters batted well together to build a 100 run partnership. Both batters scored half-centuries. Labuschagne went on to score 79 runs in the 137 run stand for the Australians.

The partnership was broken in the 47^th over of the game when Labuschagne edged the ball to the keeper. It was a quick delivery that got batters edge and went to the keeper.

Soon after the wicket, the rain interrupted play. This led to the end of play on Day 1. Usman Khawaja is currently batting at 54 runs.

A rain-delay meant that only 47 overs were bowled in the first day’s play. Australia will resume the innings tomorrow at 147/2.

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