We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Probable XIs
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar/Michael Neser, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood
South Africa: Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Rassie van der Dussen/Heinrich Klaasen, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi/Simon Harmer
Pitch Report
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground
(Based on the last 3 games)
1st innings average score: 403
2nd innings average score: 265
3rd innings average score: 264
4th innings average score: 247
Wickets per innings: 8
Type: Good for batting. Turn for spinners as the game progresses.
Weather: Rough weather expected throughout the game.
Wins
Batting 1st: 33%
Batting 2nd: —
Fantasy Tips of the Day
South Africa’s batting has been so average that only four players from their side – of which one was a bowler and the other a bowling all-rounder – featured in the Ultimate Team in the first two Tests. However, the SCG pitch is likely to produce more runs and may provide some respite to the struggling South Africans. Australia have, otherwise, dominated through and through in fantasy leagues.
Smart Picks
Steven Smith has played 9 Tests at the SCG, and in each game, he has scored at least a hundred or a fifty.
Travis Head’s Ultimate Team percentage reads 80% in the last 5 Tests. He averages 57 at home compared to his overall average of 45.
In the current lot, David Warner is the highest run-scorer for Australia against South Africa: 1,405 runs including 5 hundreds and as many fifties in 14 Tests.
In his last 6 First-Class games, Kyle Verreynne has scored 524 runs at an average of 74 and fetched 22 catches.
Between them, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have taken 41 wickets in 11 Tests at the venue. On the other hand, in as many games, Nathan Lyon alone has taken 42 wickets.
Marco Jansen may have been ineffective with the ball, but it was his knock of 59 that kept South Africa on course. His all-round skills make him an effective pick in fantasy cricket.
Marnus Labuschagne’s numbers are a mixed bag. In his 4 Tests at the SCG, he has scored a double-hundred and 3 fifties, thanks to his ability to dominate spin. In the series, however, he has managed ordinary scores of 11, 16, and 14. Such has been South Africa’s bowling!
With 10 wickets, Kagiso Rabada is the highest wicket-taker of the series. As a matter of fact, he enjoys hunting down the Aussie batters. In 9 Tests, he has picked 48 wickets at 21.