New Zealand looking to turnaround on-field fortunes after heavy losses in the first two test matches.
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As we walk into the first Test match of the decade, we are already in a hostile situation with smoke from the bushfires near Sydney. Rain on the last two days is expected to play a spoilsport role by regular interruptions. Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls have been battling illness and will most probably miss the third test match.
Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne has hit the purple patch of his career. Australia’s 2019 home season saw him score mammoth 622 runs in 6 innings. Single handedly Labuschagne over shadowed the likes of Smith and Warner. The Aussies have a good opportunity of ending this home summer season on an unbeaten note.
The Kiwis on the other hand, have to find ways to sustain the pressure mounted by the Aussie pace attack. Sydney wicket which supports spinners on the last two days might not be needed here. Considering the situations its expected that the Aussies might look to bat quick and big in the first opportunity that they get.
Pitch Conditions and Toss
Team winning the toss in the last three test matches has batted first and I don’t see any different decision being made in the third test match either. Team winning the toss will bat first and will try to pile up runs.
Probable Playing XI
Williamson and Nicholls are expected to miss the match due to illness and a possibility of Will Somerville a former New South Wales spiner to make it to the playing XI for the Kiwis. Australia are expected to remain unchanged going into the third and final test match.
Australia: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mathew Wade/Mitchell Swepson, Tim Pane (W) ©, Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.
New Zealand: Tom Latham ©, Jeet Raval, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling (W), Colin De Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Will Somerville and Neil Wagner.
Match Details
New Zealand tour of Australia 2019-20
Match: Australia vs New Zealand Test Championship 3rd Test Match
Date & Time: 3rd January 2020, 5:30 AM IST
Pivotal Players
Australia: Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc
New Zealand: Ross Taylor, Tom Blundell and Neil Wagner
Top Four Batting Order
Australia: David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Tom Blundell and Ross Taylor
AUS vs NZ Dream 11 Wicket Keeper(s)
I have selected Tom Blundell out of the four choices of wicket keepers I have. Blundell who came in as Raval’s replacement had a gutsy knock in the 2nd innings at the MCG during the boxing day test match scoring a steady 121 runs.
AUS vs NZ Dream 11 Batsmen
David Warner and Steve Smith by their standards have had a quiet series so far. Their records in all three formats have been such that I cannot afford to drop them from my team. It might be testing times for batsmen in the overcast conditions in Sydney and these two have the technique and temperament not only to survive, but also to attack the oppositions whenever required.
Ross Taylor is the most experienced Kiwi batsman on board and with the chances of Williamson missing the match his position in the New Zealand team becomes crucial and Taylor has already proven himself on numerous occasions, Taylor is an obvious choice for me. Tom Latham according to me is a complete batsman who has all the shots in the book to be demonstrated, an excellent batsman against spin bowling and in Williamson’s absence is expected to lead the Kiwis.
AUS vs NZ Dream 11 All Rounders
Travis Head scored a steady knock of 114 runs at MCG. The wicket in Sydney is expected to spin, these conditions are well set for Head to showcase his talent once again. Marnus Labuschagne with his current form forces himself into any team, be it a test playing XI or a fantasy league team. With 3 blistering centuries in the last 6 innings Labuschagne is expected to deliver once again.
AUS vs NZ Dream 11 Bowlers
An old saying, that a test match can be won only by picking up 20 wickets. I back the Aussies to win the final test match as well and that’s the reason why I have 3 Australian front line bowlers in my team. Current form shown by Neil Wagner forces me to pick him which also allows me to complete my quota of 4 New Zealand players.
Mitchell Starc has been an ace bowler for Australia over the years and will definitely feature in my team; Starc has already been judged as a Man of the Match in the first Test match and the overcast conditions will support his kind of bowling. James Pattinson’s performance in the 2nd test match cannot be sidelined, on the basis of his current form I have picked Pattinson. Sydney wicket has always assisted the spinners and Nathan Lyon undoubtedly is the best spinner in this test match.
AUS vs NZ Dream 11 Power Players
Steve Smith who has had an ordinary tournament is expected to fire, therefore he is my Captain and the man in form Marnus Labuschagne would be his deputy.
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Dream 11 Disclaimer
All our selections are based on in-depth and astute analysis of the players partaking in the match, pitch report and a perusal of other reasoning. Please incorporate a slew of factors while crafting your own side with this article serving as a guide to the match and players.
