Australia vs New Zealand – 3rd Test Match Preview & Prediction
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THE FACTS
When is Australia vs New Zealand taking place? Thursday, January 2nd (11:30pm UK time)
Where is Australia vs New Zealand taking place? Sydney Cricket Ground
What is the expected weather for Australia vs New Zealand? 27c with scattered showers forecast over the weekend
What channel is Australia vs New Zealand on? Australia vs New Zealand will be televised live on BT Sport 2
Where can I stream Australia vs New Zealand? Australia vs New Zealand will be streamed live on BT app
Where can I get tickets for Australia vs New Zealand? Ticket details for this match can be found here!
LAST MEETING
Australia beat New Zealand by 247 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
AUSTRALIA
- Australia sealed a second consecutive win in Melbourne in the second Test as they once again had far too much quality with the bat, and their bowlers continued to show their dominance over the struggling New Zealand batsmen to seal the three-match series.
- The selectors have called up Queensland leg-spinner Mitch Swepson after his good form in the Sheffield Shield this season and his inclusion gives them the option of fielding two frontline spinners if conditions demand it.
- Peter Siddle has announced his retirement from international cricket so he is unavailable for selection and the likelihood is that they will name an unchanged side with Pattinson in the bowling attack ahead of Hazelwood who is nursing an injury, unless they decide to give Swepson a chance or bring Neser in.
NEW ZEALAND
- New Zealand have nothing but pride and ICC World Test Championship points to play for in this third and final Test as they travel to Sydney following two heavy defeats in Perth and Melbourne ahead of the upcoming three-match one-day series.
- Trent Boult has been ruled out for some time after breaking his hand in the second Test so the Blackcaps have called up Will Somerville to their squad for this match and they could be tempted to give him a start and ease the burden on their pace bowlers.
- They ultimately need to produce a much better display in an attempt to rebuild some confidence ahead of the ODIs and that starts with their most experienced batsmen in Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor who have struggled for runs so far but the century in the second innings in Melbourne for Tom Blundell was a huge positive at the top of the order.
THE PREDICTION
Australia have completely dominated the first two Test matches in this series and they will be keen to seal the whitewash in Sydney. While there are concerns over smoke from the bushfires and scattered showers forecast over the weekend, it is difficult to see anything other than a third win for the hosts. Their bowling attack has a clear edge over key Blackcap batsmen like Williamson and Taylor, while their batsmen continue to rack up huge first innings totals to lay the foundations for victory. Kane Williamson will be hoping that they can win the toss and bat first for once to attempt to try change this losing dynamic. Ultimately however, Australia have the edge in all departments and they should seal the whitewash barring conditions out of their control affecting play.