In the third Test match between Australia and Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), captain Shan Masood of Pakistan chose to bat first while David Warner got ready for his farewell Test match.
With an outstanding record of 8,695 runs at an average of 44.58, Warner, the 37-year-old opener, hopes to send his Test career off on a positive note by saying goodbye at his home stadium.
Masood is hoping for a good first inning and says the weather seems good for a solid start. Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, anticipates a receptive audience at SCG, where retired batsman Warner has excelled in the past, and he too plans to make a bat-first decision.
In addition to being the 112th Test at SCG, this match also happens to be Warner’s 112th and last Test appearance.
Pakistan made tactical adjustments, resting Shaheen Shah Afridi in favour of off-spinner Sajid Khan and giving the Test debut to Saim Ayub instead of Imam-ul-Haq, with the expectation that Ayub would set a solid tone for Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Australia won the series with a tight victory in Melbourne, winning by 79 runs. With a medium probability of showers, the Sydney Test is known for its rain delays. Spinners have historically had an impact, taking 54 wickets at an average of 44.02 in the last five games played at SCG.
The cricket community is excited to see Warner make his final stand in Test cricket and is expecting an emotional send-off. All eyes are on Warner’s last innings and Pakistan’s attempt to make a competitive start to the third Test match at SCG as the event takes place.
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner, Alex Carey, and Travis Head
Pakistan: Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Hasan Ali, Agha Salman, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, and Shan Masood (captain).
