Australia set for new opener as Maddinson and Harper released ahead of Cape Town decider

Australia will field a new opening combination in the series-deciding third Test against South Africa after Nic Maddinson and back-up wicketkeeper Sam Harper were both released from the touring squad. The match is scheduled from October 27 to 31 at Newlands, Cape Town, with play commencing at 7:30pm AEDT.

The series is level at one apiece. Australia claimed the first Test by 214 runs before South Africa levelled with a dominant innings-and-31-run victory in the second. The Cape Town fixture will settle the series outright.

Matthew Renshaw is now in line to take up the opening slot following Maddinson’s removal, while the returns of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis from injury add further intrigue to Australia’s final XI selection.

Why were Maddinson and Harper released, and where does Renshaw fit?

Maddinson, 34, managed to pass double figures just once across four innings since his surprise recall to face the Proteas. That record proved insufficient to retain his place for the decider, and he has been directed back to domestic cricket, where he is set to feature for New South Wales in their Sheffield Shield fixture against Tasmania in Hobart. With Maddinson gone, Renshaw is considered a strong candidate to open the batting in Cape Town, and his retention in the squad positions him as the frontrunner for that role.

Harper had been kept on as cover for first-choice wicketkeeper Alex Carey after Josh Inglis sustained a broken finger. With Inglis now returning from that injury, Harper’s presence as an understudy was no longer required, and he will head back to Victoria for their Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland at the Gabba.

What is the squad situation with Smith, Green and Labuschagne?

Steve Smith is set to undergo a fitness assessment on a troublesome neck at the team’s match-eve training session, though he was reported to be firming for a place in the playing XI. The returns of Cameron Green and Josh Inglis from injury add competition for places and place additional pressure on Marnus Labuschagne to secure his spot in the side. Australia will be eager to settle their best available combination before the toss at Newlands, with the series on the line and conditions in Cape Town likely to test both batting line-ups.

Australia full squad for the third Test against South Africa

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.