Australia to stick with winning formula for SCG Test, Mitchell Swepson to miss out

Despite the addition of Mitchell Swepson to Australia’s squad for the third Test against New Zealand, captain Tim Paine has hinted the same XI that did the job in Melbourne will take the SCG field.

Australia's Tim Paine was all smiles as he prepared his side for the third Test at the SCG. Pic: Phil Hillyard

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Australia are leaning towards naming an unchanged XI for the third Test against New Zealand at the SCG but will wait until a last-minute pitch inspection before making a call.

Uncapped legspinner Mitchell Swepson was drafted into the Test squad amid expectations of a spin-friendly pitch.

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Tim Paine says Australia are yet to make a decision but “our preference will be to keep the winning combination, with Marnus (Labuschagne) as that second spin option”.

Australia's Tim Paine was all smiles as he prepared his side for the third Test at the SCG.

“We’ll have a look again in the morning,” Paine told reporters in his pre-Test press conference.

“It’d be likely we’ll go unchanged but it’s still as possibility when we see that wicket tomorrow morning that we’d go for another spinner.” Paine wouldn’t reveal whether Swepson’s potential call-up would come at the expense of a fast bowler or a batsman.

Mitchell Swepson looks likely to miss out on a place in the XI in Sydney.

“We’ve got some guys in and around our squad who provide quite a bit of flexibility,” the skipper said.

Paine suggested Labuschagne, who has enjoyed a dominant summer with the bat, was ready and able to step up with the ball if required in Sydney.

Originally published as Australia to stick with winning formula for SCG Test, Mitchell Swepson to miss out