Australia ring in the changes for final Test at Adelaide

The Australia selectors have rung in the changes for the third and final Test match after conceding the series 2-0 to the visiting South Africans. It certainly was not a pretty sight to let go some Aussie players who have impressed in recent months as well as an Australian selector who was perhaps one of their best wicketkeepers of all time, but, as they all say, things need to change.

Three Australian players will be receiving their Baggy Greens. Opener Matt Renshaw, batsman Peter Handscomb, and finally, the hard-hitting Nic Maddinson would be receiving their caps on the afternoon of the final Test at Adelaide. The only other time when three players were handed Test debuts for Australia was when David Warner, Mitchell Starc, and James Pattinson were handed their respective caps.

Jackson Bird has also made his way back into the Test side ahead of the underperforming Joe Mennie. Bird’s earlier match came against New Zealand earlier this year prior to the start of the World T20.

“(Bird) took a five-for in the last Test match he played, he’s bowled well with the pink ball in the (day-night) Shield games that he’s played, bowled well in the nets out the back and deserves an opportunity,” Australia captain Steve Smith said.

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Chadd Sayers is one of those missing out on the match in spite of the fact that he has played a majority of his cricket at the Adelaide Oval. “Unlucky for Chadd missing out on his home ground but we’ve gone with Jackson Bird. We’ve obviously made a lot of changes, and some young guys have come into the squad,” Smith said.

“This series has been disappointing the way it’s gone for us. I’m actually really excited about the young guys coming into the group and what they bring. I’ve almost felt a little shift in the last couple of days in attitude and energy from what the new guys have brought in.”

Steve Smith also went on to state a few words on the impressive Nic Maddinson. “On his day he can tear any attack apart,” Smith said. “The selectors have given him an opportunity to come in and play at No.6 and sum up the conditions and play with a bit of freedom at the same time.

“He’s developed his defense over the last couple of years. I haven’t seen him a heap of him playing in the last couple of years, but what I have seen he’s playing the ball a lot later, a lot more under his eyes, which is a very good start.

Australia XI: David Warner, Matthew Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird

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