Aussies suggest unchanged XI for SCG, leaving Mitchell Swepson to wait for debut
Australia are leaning towards naming an unchanged XI for the third Test against New Zealand at the SCG but will wait until a last-minute pitch inspection before making a call.
Uncapped legspinner Mitchell Swepson was drafted into the Test squad amid expectations of a spin-friendly pitch.
Tim Paine says Australia are yet to make a decision but "our preference will be to keep the winning combination, with Marnus (Labuschagne) as that second spin option".
"We'll have a look again in the morning," Paine told reporters in his pre-Test press conference.
"It'd be likely we'll go unchanged but it's still a possibility when we see that wicket tomorrow morning that we'd go for another spinner."
Tim Paine walks on to the SCG for training ahead of the third and final Test against New Zealand. Getty
Paine wouldn't reveal whether Swepson's potential call-up would come at the expense of a fast bowler or a batsman.
"We've got some guys in and around our squad who provide quite a bit of flexibility," the skipper said.
Paine suggested Labuschagne, who has enjoyed a dominant summer with the bat, was ready and able to step up with the ball if required in Sydney.
