Australia vs New Zealand 3rd Test, Sydney: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

Having thrashed New Zealand inside four days at Perth and Melbourne, Australia will now host New Zealand for the third Test of the Trans-Tasman Series, at Sydney; and given how the series has unfolded so far, Australia are on their way to complete a 3-0 sweep.

So dominant were the Australian bowlers at Perth that it did not matter even when Josh Hazlewood hobbled out after sending out just 8 balls. They won comfortably; and James Pattinson, Hazlewood’s replacement, finished with 6/69 at Melbourne. To add to that, their big guns – Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon – all average under 23.

The batsmen, on the other hand, have not been as outstanding, though the disciplined New Zealand bowlers deserve some credit for that. Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head have got runs, but not many others; what is more, none of their batsmen has not quite managed to break away and score at a rapid pace.

Tom Blundell has hit New Zealand’s only hundred so far, in the fourth innings at Melbourne, an excellent 121 at the top up against a target of 488. Ross Taylor and Tom Latham have got a fifty apiece, but that has been about it. Kane Williamson (34, 14, 9, 0) and Henry Nicholls (7, 21, 0, 33) have been the biggest disappointments.

And while Neil Wagner has been exceptional and Tim Southee consistent, they have not received much support, more so due to Trent Boult’s injury.

Both teams have included an extra spinner in their sides. While William Somerville is likely to replace Boult, Australia may leave Mitchell Swepson out and include three fast bowlers.

Head to head

Australia hold a substantial (33-8) lead including 19-3 at home. The head-to-head is even more one-sided in the new millennium: Australia lead 18-1 including 9-1 at home.

Key players

Nathan Lyon (Australia): Lyon has made superb use of a deteriorating pitches in his two fourth-innings outings, picking up 4/63 and 4/81. He will be more than a handful for New Zealand on the dry Sydney pitch.

Neil Wagner (New Zealand): Wagner has bothered the Australians in both Tests with his hostile pace and vicious bounce. Four of his 14 wickets in this series (at 20.28 apiece) have been of Steven Smith, so even the very best have not got away.

Likely XIs

Australia: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Matthew Wade, Travis Head, Tim Paine (c & wk), James Pattinson, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.

New Zealand: Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, William Somerville.

Prediction

Australia to win and whitewash New Zealand.