Australia in South Africa: Cooper Connolly set to play for Aussies in deciding Test

Australia have turned to Cooper Connolly as they look to secure a series win in South Africa, with the young West Aussie among three changes to the Test side.

Chris Robinson

The West Australian

2 Min Read

41 mins ago

Updated

25 mins ago

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Cooper Connolly is set to return to Australia’s Test side. Credit: Albert Perez/Getty Images

Australia have turned to Cooper Connolly as they look to secure a series win in South Africa, with the young West Aussie among three changes to the Test side for Tuesday’s start to the deciding fixture.

Connolly and fellow WA star Cam Green are both set to return to the Test XI, with veteran spinner Nathan Lyon also recalled after he sat out last week’s defeat in Gqeberha.

Scott Boland is set to be the unlucky bowler to miss out, with Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster also out.

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Marnus Labuschagne will earn another opportunity, while Josh Inglis appears to be on standby for Steve Smith as the batting ace looks to overcome a neck injury.

The changes were first reported by Seven’s Tom Morris, with the XI set to be confirmed at the toss of the coin in Newlands at 4pm WA time.

Matt Renshaw will replace Maddinson at the top of the order after he and Sam Harper were on Monday confirmed to be returning to Australia to play Sheffield Shield cricket.

Green is likely to slot in at No.5 for his first match of the series.

Cam Green in the nets this week. Credit: cricket.com.au/Cricket Australia

Boland was Australia’s strongest performer in their heavy defeat in the second Test, snaring a five-wicket haul and digging in for a gutsy extended knock with the bat as a nightwatchman as the tourists attempted to fight out a draw on the final day.

Smith batted for more than half an hour in a net session on Monday as he tested out his neck issue, with Aussie skipper Pat Cummins conceding the 37-year-old may not be at full fitness entering the clash.

“He is huge. One of the greatest batters we have ever had. You don’t play 100-odd Test matches without playing Test matches where you weren’t 100 per cent fit, even though he is probably not going to be 100 per cent,” Cummins said on Monday.

“Hopefully he can compartmentalise that, like he’s done 100 times before with other things, and can come out and... contribute like he does every week.”