Proteas unchanged for third Test
Graeme Smith hopes to lead his side to a ground-breaking whitewash of Australia
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Friday, 02, Jan 2009 11:58
South Africa have announced an unchanged side to face Australia in the crucial third Test of the series in Sydney, which begins tomorrow.
While the match is irrelevant in determining the winner of the series, with the tourists already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead over their hosts, if the Proteas can win they will usurp Australia at the top of the ICC world rankings.
Ricky Ponting's men have dominated the standings for the last decade, and have been the number one side in the world for the majority of the last 13 years with only an eight-month gap.
However, they have struggled in recent months - losing a recent series in India and now falling behind against their current opponents.
As in the second Test, South Africa captain Graeme Smith will open alongside Neil McKenzie with in-form Hashim Amla coming in at number three.
JP Duminy - who made a superb 166 in Melbourne in only his second Test match - continues to bat at six while the three-pronged pace attack of Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini are joined by spinner Paul Harris.
Australia must make a decision over the replacements for injured trio Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee and Shane Watson, with the uncapped duo of all-rounder Andrew McDonald and bowler Doug Bollinger set for their Test debuts.
Ben Hilfenhaus has also been called up but is likely to act as 12th man.
Watson did not play in the second Test after picking up a knee injury that could keep him out until the 2009 Ashes series in England in the summer.