- By Ankit Bisht
- Tue, 02 Jan 2024 12:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
AUS vs PAK 3rd Test: Australia have announced the unchanged playing 11 for the third and final Test against Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), starting on Wednesday, January 3.
Australia skipper Pat Cummins backed his 11 as they hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and will look to clean sweep in David Warner's farewell Test.
Warner will end his career as Australia's fifth-highest run-scorer in Tests. He has scored 8695 runs at 44.58 in 111 matches at an average of 44.58 including 26 centuries and 36 fifties. At his home venue, the southpaw has hammered 793 runs at 49.56 at his home venue, smashing four centuries.
Before playing his final red-ball game for Australia, Warner misplaced his Baggy Green cap and made an emotional appeal on an Instagram video.
"Unfortunately, someone has taken my backpack out of my actual luggage, which had my backpack and my girls’ presents in there, inside this backpack was my Baggy Greens," Warner stated in his video post.
"It’s sentimental to me, it’s something I would love to have back in my hands walking out there come this week," he added.
On keeping the unchanged 11 for the third Test, Cummins said the pacers are in great shape and are not feeling any fatigue despite the tight schedule.
"Normally each summer there's something that pops up. But all three of us (Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood) are really fresh. Even the way this summer is spread out a bit more, there's two Tests on, then a bit of a gap; then two Tests, then a bit of a gap; then New Zealand," the pacer said.
"We'll give it a chance. It's all gone pretty smoothly so far," he added.
Australia's playing XI for 3rd Test: Pat Cummins (c) David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.