Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

AUS vs NZ 3rd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | Australia vs New Zealand 3rd Test Dream11 | AUS vs NZ 3rd Test Dream11 Prediction | Australia vs New Zealand 3rd Test Key Players to Watch

The fifth-ranked Test team at home to the second-ranked side should have a competitive feel to it. When you consider New Zealand’s superb run over the past 18-24 months, this was their chance to confirm their status as one of New Zealand’s best ever Test teams.

They may still hold that title by the time this team disbands, but Australia have dominated. Worse, illness has been spreading through the New Zealand camp over the past couple of days, with Kane Williamson ruled out.

Also, this Test could see interruptions, with smoke still hanging over Sydney from horrible bushfires, as well as some welcome rain forecast for Monday and Tuesday.

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• New Zealand haven’t played a Test in Sydney since 1985. So, can Ross Taylor lead the way with a big display?
• David Warner has an incredible strike rate of 99.48 in seven Tests at the SCG. He has compiled 576 runs at 57.60.
• Steve Smith played a fighting knock in Melbourne. In even better news for Australia, he enjoys playing in Sydney: 548 runs in six Tests at 68.50.
• Marnus Labuschagne now makes up a very key part of Australia’s top four. He was the only player to score 1,000+ Test runs in 2019.
• Tom Blundell was New Zealand’s shining light at MCG. His onside play was particularly impressive in his second-innings century.
• After being at risk of not playing in the Boxing Day Test, Travis Head responded with a century.
• Will Somerville is a strong chance of playing this Test. He played five FC games for NSW at SCG, where he took 23 wickets 20.69. He is also a handy lower-order batsman.
• James Pattinson vs New Zealand: 4 Tests, 26 wickets, avg. 16.27.
• Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc have taken 19 wickets between them this series.
• Neil Wagner has had a superb series in what has been a tough outing for New Zealand. He has 14 wickets in two Tests, including Steve Smith four times and David Warner three times.
• Surprisingly, Nathan Lyon has a poor record at the SCG: 26 wickets in 8 Tests at 47.68.

Key to an Australia win

Australia’s bowlers have been relentless. The Black Caps’ batsmen have had little chance to breathe throughout the series, with the seamers maintaining pressure from both ends. Then, later in the innings, Lyon can hold up an end (and find turn) with the seamers rotating nicely.

Also, will it be another prolific game for Australia’s top six? The top four have generally set a platform this season, and if they do so again, it might be too much for New Zealand to come back from. Keep an eye out for David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith as a strong trio.

Key to a New Zealand win

Kane Williamson is out, so the Black Caps need to come together and deliver as a unit. So much rests on the likes of Tom Latham and Ross Taylor to lead the way, along with last-game hero Tom Blundell, in overcoming the high-quality Australia attack.

Also, can New Zealand make inroads into Australia’s top order? The loss of Trent Boult is a blow, but Matt Henry, a capable red-ball bowler, can offer value. With the tireless Neil Wagner wheeling away, it is vital New Zealand build pressure from both ends, which calls for a spinner who can hold an end.

Possible Playing 11

Justin Langer has said that it will be difficult to break a winning combination. There is the chance that Mitch Swepson will play on an SCG pitch that could turn later in the Test, but who would he come in for? With Travis Head coming off a century, it could be Matt Wade.

However, that is unlikely.

Australia: 1. David Warner, 2. Joe Burns, 3. Marnus Labuschagne, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Matthew Wade, 6. Travis Head, 7. Tim Paine (c & wk), 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. James Pattinson, 11. Nathan Lyon

UPDATE: Illness has been spreading through the New Zealand camp. Tom Latham will lead in the absence of Kane Williamson. Glenn Phillips will make his debut.

Also, Mitchell Santner is out with illness, to be replaced by Will Somerville (likely). But, there is talk New Zealand could go in with two spinners.

New Zealand: 1. Tom Latham (c), 2. Tom Blundell, 3. Glenn Phillips, 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. BJ Watling (wk), 7. Colin de Grandhomme, 8. Will Somerville, 9. Todd Astle, 10. Matt Henry, 11. Neil Wagner

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SCG Pitch Report and Conditions

There is a decent covering of grass on the SCG pitch a day out from the Test. As the Test goes on, provided there is enough sunshine, there will be more turn.

However, conditions are an issue. Smoke haze has been prominent in Sydney for weeks, and could impact this Test. Also, rain is forecast on days four and five of the Test.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

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Match Prediction

Smoke and rain across the five days could cause some significant interruptions. A result might be difficult to achieve as a result, so will go for a draw, even with New Zealand affected by illness and injury.

Thanks for reading!

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