Ahead of the third Test at the SCG, some may be wondering what is to play for Australia and New Zealand. The Australian’s have won the series and the Kiwis have lost the Trans-Tasman Trophy in Australia for the seventh time in its history.
For both sides and plenty of individuals, this test has a lot riding on it and may have a lot to say about the year they are going to have. So, here are three reasons why the third test is so important for each side.
New Zealand
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ICC rankings, both team and individuals
New Zealand entered this series the second-ranked test team in the world and many in the media regarded them as the best Kiwi team to tour Australia. That has not been shown so far and a third straight loss could mean more pain for the Black Caps.
They currently sit second with 112 points, eight behind India and just ten above South Africa, England and Australia. With the competition tight and a two-test series against India on home soil kicking off on the 21 February, games start to become more and more important.
Individually, three Kiwi batsmen have dropped multiple spots on the ICC test batting rankings. Ross Taylor entered the Boxing Day Test at number 11 but dropped to number 16. Henry Nicholls went from 13th down to 17th and BJ Watling dropped two spots to number 18. Some big scores are needed to keep them inside the top 20.
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Kane Williamson with a chance to lead from the front
It has not been a fun series for the New Zealand skipper. He has made just 57 runs at an average of 14.25. For the man who sits third on the ICC test batting rankings and averages 51.55 in test cricket, it’s not a flattering stat.
But a big score at the SCG can bring so much confidence to his team, which has been lacking at times, and to himself and his ability to bat in Australian conditions. In the back of his mind, he may also need to think about his batting ranking with Aussie Marnus Labuschagne nipping at his heels in the number four slot, just 17 points behind.
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Bowlers confidence
When the team you’re bowling to has made 400-plus runs in the first innings of each of the first two tests, some confidence would naturally be knocked out of you. A competitive showing in the third test will help that though, especially with an important series coming up against India. The loss of the injured Trent Boult doesn’t help, but behind the fiery Neil Wagner, anything is possible.
https://thesportingbase.com/cricket/australia-vs-new-zealand-scg-test-win-in-our-fantasy-challenge/
Australia
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Finishing the series with a whitewash
Being able to retain the Ashes in England was an amazing feat, but many will look back on the result as possibly unfinished. The chance was there for the Aussies to win outright but ultimately a 2-2 series tie meant the urn stayed in Australia.
The opportunity presents itself at the SCG for the Australian’s to win 3-0 and send a warning to the rest of the world for 2020 and beyond.
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James Pattinson getting consistency
Australian captain Tim Paine has hinted at the fact that the Aussies would prefer to take an unchanged XI into the third test. For James Pattinson, this means back-to-back tests which has been a rarity for him as Australia manages his workload.
Being able to perform strongly will no doubt build confidence in his body and the selectors as well that the 29-year-old’s body can handle the toughness of test cricket.
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Steve Smith back to his dominant best
After his heroics in England, basically any form he is in is going to be considered down or worse. After averaging 110.5 that is probably an expectation, but Steve Smith’s average of 37.75 through four innings would not be a pretty sight for him.
The third test provides him an opportunity to score a hundred on his home ground at the SCG and continue his rise back to the number one batsmen in the world. He currently sits 17 points behind Virat Kohli.
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