Australia have sent Nic Maddinson home after his flop show in the first two Tests against South Africa. He was recalled to the Test squad after 10 years but has been told to leave before the third and final red-ball game of the series. He didn’t do anything in four innings, and recorded his highest score of 48 in the second innings of the series opener in Durban. He also recorded two ducks as Australia are thinking of going in with a new opening combination in the series decider in Cape Town.

Maddinson’s batting slot allowed Australia to push Matthew Renshaw down in the batting order in Cameron Green’s absence, allowing the visitors to counter the threat of the spinners. However, the lack of runs from the opener has forced the team management and selectors to consider their options for the upcoming contest.

Australia selection chief George Bailey mentioned that the team would have wanted more runs from Maddinson but pointed out that the batter could be in contention for the home series against New Zealand and the tour of India.

“Performance-wise, would you have liked more runs? Yes. Did it allow us to set the rest of the team up the way that we wanted to, whilst we’re working with the group we have? Yes,” Bailey said.

Bailey also stressed that Maddinson’s removal is not a temporary fix and the selectors would continue to assess his future chances.

“We wanted to be clear to him it wasn’t a stop-gap, and that’s it, and it’s a discard,” Bailey said. “The same process we worked through to get him to be on the table for here, and ultimately to play, they’ll be the same questions that we’ll ask across the home summer to (the tour of) India as well.”

Marnus Labuschagne under the scanner

Marnus Labuschagne is also under pressure, having failed to justify his spot in the team. He has amassed   37, 37, 14 and 39 in his four innings in the series, with fans and cricket experts urging the team management to drop him. His last Test hundred came in 2023, and his low returns have impacted the national team.

Bailey said that the No. 3 batter is showing positive signs, but the team will consider the impact of his batting display.

“We’re seeing some good things, yes, but is there a block at the moment around 30s? Yes,” Bailey said.

The decision-makers would discuss whether Labuschagne’s contributions were helping the national team achieve the goals.

“So it’s a decision around what does that look like if (Labuschagne) gets through there versus what does it look like for the collective is it helping others around him? Is it helping the team get a result that we ultimately want?”

Josh Inglis can replace Labuschagne, with Green set to return for the last game.

Steve Smith’s fitness issue

Steve Smith’s availability is not confirmed as the veteran batter is dealing with neck stiffness that affected his batting in the second Test. He hasn’t scored a fifty in the four innings.

However, coach Andrew McDonald is hopeful of Smith’s return to the playing XI.

“He hasn’t had the start he would like in this series. He’s got a bit of a neck issue going at the moment. You guys would have seen that play out in the nets,” McDonald said.

“Today he’ll progress (his training) – he didn’t have his helmet on yesterday as well, so hopefully he progresses to (facing) bowlers.

“We feel like it’s going to be a pretty steep progression … he should be available.”

Australia squad for 3rd Test

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.