Australia adds to test squad ahead of SCG test
Australia has added Ashton Agar and Matthew Renshaw to their test squad to play South Africa in the New Years test at the Sydney Cricket Ground beginning on Wednesday, January 4.
Agar and Renshaw will leave their respective BBL sides with Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc ruled out of the SCG test with finger injuries.
Cameron Green is expected to undergo surgery on a broken right index finger to recover in time for Australia’s test tour of India, as well as Green’s upcoming campaign in the IPL having been auctioned to the Mumbai Indians for $3.15m. Starc will also miss the Sydney test and is reportedly racing the clock to be fit for the tour of India.
The additions of Agar and Renshaw seems to make Australia’s plans for the SCG test clear. Agar looks set to fill the all-rounder roll in place of Green, giving the Australians a second spinning option while opening a place in the XI for the return of Josh Hazelwood.
Agar’s addition would likely see keeper/batter Alex Carey elevated to number six in the batting order following his incredible maiden century in the MCG Boxing Day test.
Renshaw’s addition to the squad could be cover for David Warner who suffered severe fatigue and cramping during his marathon double century in severe weather conditions in his 100th test match for Australia. During the 2022/23 Sheffield season for the Queensland Bulls, Renshaw has averaged 51.67 runs in eight innings including and incredible 200 not out from 403 balls when opening the batting in the Bulls first innings.
The addition of Agar to the test squad could see tear away West Australian fast bowler Lance Morris miss out on his test debut on Australian soil after he was added to the test squad when Josh Hazelwood went down injured earlier in the season.
Morris has taken a whopping 27 wickets in the Sheffield Shield this season at an average 18.41, from significantly less overs than most of his competition.
A win for Australia in the New Years test at the SCG will give the home side five test match wins in a row including a series clean-sweep of the formerly 2nd ranked test side in the world (South Africa) and almost certainly book their spot in the World Test Championship final at Lords in June 2023.
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