Cricket: Australia vs South Africa – Test Series
Australia leads series 2-0
3rd Test- Australia vs South Africa – Sydney Cricket Ground
As 2023 arrives within the cricketing fraternity, it remains Australia who are very much on top in their three-match series with South Africa. The first two contests between the two great cricketing nations saw landslide wins for Australia, who look to be back to their best in front of their baying home faithful. For South Africa, the final test of the series presents an opportunity to blood new talent, in the heat of an Australian away tour. Predicting any dead rubber is never easy but these are two proud cricketing sides, who will give their all once more in this final match of the series.
Match Preview: Australia vs South Africa
Match Winner Odds:
Team Previews
Australia
It looks to be another exciting time for Australian cricket, who finally have a balance within their side. At the top of the order, the partnership of David Warner and Usman Khawaja has become fruitful for Australia in recent times, with the good friends metronomic when it comes to run scoring. In Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith, Australia have two of the very best players in the world in their ranks and they tend to relish any battle with the opposition. Travis Head and wicketkeeper Alex Carey have also become mainstays in the Australian side in recent years and runs for both in this series, has solidified their respective places in the team.
For all their fire power, it is perhaps in the bowling department where Australia impress the most, with Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon proving to be one of the very best bowling units in world cricket currently.
South Africa
It has been a tour to forget for South Africa, who haven’t had the tools to compete with Australia or England in their last two travelling exploits. Captain Dean Elgar is a proud competitor at the top of the order, and he will relish this contest, even if the Proteas can’t salvage a result from the series. Sarel Erwee continues to be given a go in the opener position, despite a lack of runs recently, an affliction that has also impacted Heinrich Klassen and Temba Bavuma in the middle order. Khaya Zondo has been impressive throughout his early Test Match career, whilst Marco Jansen has the hallmarks of an impressive all-rounder for years to come. In Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj South Africa have two of the best spinners around, whilst Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje provide express pace to an exciting bowling attack.
Match Betting Tips
Top Australian Batsman – Steve Smith – 3/1
Steve Smith loves scoring runs, especially in Sydney and he could be due a decent score in this one.
Top South Africa Batsman – Dean Elgar – 3/1
Captain Dean Elgar is always up for the fight and his side need him to dig deep here.
Top Australian Bowler – Nathan Lyon – 3/1
Spin bowlers are seldom cannier than Nathan Lyon and he should relish conditions here at the SCG.
Top South Africa Bowler – Kagiso Rabada – 28/10
Kagiso Rabada has been operating at the top end of the game for the best part of a decade and South Africa will be looking to him for wickets here.
Australia to win the match – 11/20
South Africa will be keen to avoid the series whitewash but Australia are full of confidence and they should win comfortably here.
