The Cricket Australia National Selection Panel have removed six players from their squad for the Commonwealth Bank Test Series following the 2-0 series loss to the Proteas.
While the selectors have gotten rid of Joe Burns, Callum Ferguson, Mitchell Marsh, Joe Mennie, Adam Voges and Peter Nevill (WK), they have brought in Peter Handscomb, Jackson Bird, Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw, Chadd Sayers & Matthew Wade (WK).
The 12-man squad for the third and final test is: Steve Smith (C), David Warner (VC), Jackson Bird, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Matt Renshaw, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc & Matthew Wade.
The six changes include Victoria’s Peter Handscomb, New South Wales’ Nic Maddinson and Queensland opener Matt Renshaw all set to make their debut in the top six.
Speaking about the inclusion of Matt Renshaw, Interim Chairman of National Selection Panel, Trevor Hohns said: “Matt has established himself in a short period of time as one of the best young opening bats in the country. His form is currently very good and we see him as a very exciting prospect for the future.”
Speaking about inclusion of Peter Handscomb & Nic Maddinson, Hohns said, “Peter’s form over the last couple seasons, and with Australia A, has been very consistent. He has a good all-round game and we think he is the type of player who could succeed at the next level. Nic is an exciting and talented young player and we feel now is the ideal time for him to be involved with the Australian team. He has the ability to break the game open and we think he will flourish in this environment.”
To strengthen the bowling, Tasmania’s Jackson Bird and South Australia’s Chadd Sayers have been brought into the squad as the additional fast-bowlers.
Speaking about the inclusions, Hohns continued, “We consider Chadd and Jackson to be very good bowlers that also can bowl a large amount of overs in conjunction with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Chadd bowls very well in Adelaide and Jackson is coming off a strong performance in his last Test match earlier in the year and both deserve their chance.”
Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade returns to the Test side after more than three years, having last played India at Delhi in March 2013. Supporting his inclusion, Hohns said, “Matthew has worked extremely hard on his keeping in the past few season and we consider it to have improved substantially. He is also a very valuable player with the bat and will add to the depth in our batting order.”
The third Commonwealth Bank Day-Night Test against South Africa will commence on Thursday.