Third Test live updates: Injured Smith ruled out, Aussies to bowl as ‘feisty’ decider tipped

Australian captain Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to bowl.

“It feels like there’s a bit of moisture in the wicket, so we’ll have first use of it,” the skipper said.

Here’s how the hosts will line up:

1. Aiden Markram 2. Marques Ackerman 3. David Bedingham 4. Temba Bavuma 5. Matthew Breetzke 6. Ryan Rickelton (wk) 7. Wiaan Mulder 8. Marco Jansen 9. Simon Harmer 10. Gerald Coetzee 11. Kagiso Rabada

Here’s how Australia will line up:

1. Travis Head 2. Matt Renshaw 3. Marnus Labuschagne 4. Cameron Green 5. Josh Inglis 6. Alex Carey 7. Cooper Connolly 8. Pat Cummins 9. Mitchell Starc 10. Nathan Lyon 11. Josh Hazlewood

As expected, Josh Inglis has come in for the injured Steve Smith, but he will bat at No.5 with Cameron Green shuffling up to No.4.

Steve Smith won’t play in Cape Town.

The Fox Cricket studio coverage crossed live to Mark Howard, who revealed the veteran batter would be sitting out the Test series decider because of his neck injury.

It’s expected Josh Inglis will replace Smith in the team.

Australia won the first Test by 214 runs and was then thumped in the second, with South Africa thrashing the tourists by an innings and 31 runs.

“That’s one of our worst losses I can remember,” Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

“They’re going to have to regroup, Australia.”

Kerry O’Keeffe added: “This will be a feisty game. I can’t wait.”

Cue the usual uproar from Scott Boland fans when he gets dropped for the third and deciding Test in South Africa.

The softly spoken Victorian fast bowler has amassed a sizeable following since his unbelievably successful debut for Australia at his home Melbourne Cricket Ground on Boxing Day 2021.

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Steve Smith remains in doubt for the decider less than two hours out from first ball.

The champion batter hurt his neck during the second game in Gqeberha and his fitness test on match eve did not go well.

According to cricket.com.au, Smith spent just over 30 minutes facing the sidearm thrower from batting coach Michael Di Venuto and looked uncomfortable throughout.

He stopped briefly to chat with coach Andrew McDonald and team doctor Leigh Golding, before returning to the nets and lasting only a few more minutes.

It’s expected Josh Inglis will take Smith’s spot at No.4 if the veteran is deemed unavailable.

We may not know until Pat Cummins confirms the XI at the toss.

Hello and welcome to nine.com.au’s live coverage of day one of the Test series decider between South Africa and Australia.

Australia finds itself back at Newlands in Cape Town for a Test match for the first time since the sandpaper scandal of 2018.

Of the players who featured in that infamous Test, five are back eight years on: Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.

However, it has not yet been confirmed if Smith will play in this Test. More on that in the next post.

Enjoy the cricket!