Matthew Renshaw and Ashton Agar called up for SCG Test

The Sydney Test is shaping as a chance for the Australian team to explore options for next year’s series against India and England.

Matthew Renshaw and Ashton Agar have been recalled to the Australian Test squad.

The Sydney Test is shaping as a chance for the Australian team to explore options for next year’s series against India and England with the inclusion of top order batsman Matthew Renshaw.

Ashton Agar has also been added as second spinner in the expectation the SCG wicket could be a turning one.

Australia lead the series over South Africa 2-0, but why the third Test in Sydney on paper shapes as a dead rubber, there is plenty to play for.

According to calculations made by Cricinfo earlier this month, Australia need only win the third Test to be guaranteed a berth in the World Test Championship in June.

Selectors confirmed Renshaw’s inclusion on Friday after it was exclusively revealed in The Australian.

The opener, who played the last of his 11 Tests with Australia in 2018, moved down the order with Queensland in the 2021-22 summer, but has been batting at the top of the order again and is in fine form.

His sole Test century came at the SCG, 184 against Pakistan in 2017. He recently scored 81 and 101 for the Prime Minister’s XI against West Indies and a 200no against NSW in what has been a strong Shield season.

Renshaw averaged almost 50 playing for Somerset in the English summer and recently declared himself “ready” for a return to the Test team.

Agar, meanwhile, played the last of his four Tests in Bangladesh in 2017 and has spent most of his time waiting for another opportunity after making his debut in the 2013 Ashes where he scored 98 batting at No.11.

He was on the 2022 tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka but did not make the side. His batting could in some way help compensate for the loss of Cameron Green whose all-round abilities will missed in Sydney due to a finger injury.

Coach Andrew McDonald strongly hinted that Lance Morris might play as an approximate like-for-like replacement for Mitchell Starc who was also ruled out with a finger injury. While Morris is not a left arm bowler, he has the ability to disrupt opponents with his pace.

NSW fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has declared himself fit and would be unlucky not to be included, but Scott Boland is approaching squatter’s rights with his Test performances.

Captain Pat Cummins indicated the selectors will not make any decision until they view the pitch at the SCG.

“The first thing is to have a look at the wicket up there,” he said before the squad was announced.

“This year it has looked a bit dry. It’s a pretty good lead in, in terms of it is probably going to be the wicket in Australia that closest resembles India, even if it doesn’t spin big. It might give us a chance to look at one or two players who might be on the India tour.

“The first priority of course is to win the Test match.”

Selector Tony Dodemaide gave nothing away in naming the 14 man squad.

“Ashton offers a second spin option should the Sydney pitch be conducive to turn, as it has done in the past. He also brings a solid batting component,” he said.

“Matthew is included as a versatile batting option who is in good form, including an unbeaten century in the recent PM’s XI tour match against the West Indies.

“In terms of fast bowlers, it’s a blessing to have Josh (Hazlewood) returning while Lance (Morris) offers a genuine point of difference with his raw pace and skill.

“This squad will cover all bases for when we get to Sydney and assess the conditions closer to the Test match.”

Australia secured the three Test series against South Africa with a win in Melbourne, but will be keen to bank more points in Sydney to guarantee a place in July’s World Test Championship.

Cummins team has a four Test series against India and the Ashes either side of that one-off event.

The team has not lost a series since Cummins replaced Tim Paine on the eve of the Ashes last year, winning that series 4-0, the Pakistan series 1-0, tying 1-1 against Sri Lanka and then beating the West Indies 2-0.

Australia has only one series win in India since Bill Larry’s side won in 1969-70 and that was in 2004. It has won one Test in the last four series held in the sub continent.

The Ashes shape as one of the great contests with Ben Stokes’ side playing an exciting brand of all-out attacking cricket that has reversed its fortunes after the loss in Australia last summer.