Australia v South Africa Third Test: Prediction & Best Bets

South Africa will be looking to end their Test tour of Australia on a winning note when they take on the Aussies in the at the SCG. Despite this match being a dead rubber, both teams still have something to play for with a place in the World Test Championship final still up for grabs. Lwanele Poswayo has a prediction and best bets for this match.

Australia can secure a place in June’s final with victory in Sydney while South Africa need to win to keep their slim hopes alive.

Temba Bavuma

I backed Bavuma to be the Proteas’ top first-innings batsman in the previous Test but he failed to deliver. However, he proved that he’s South Africa’s best batsman in this format with a decent knock of 65 in the second innings.

He was the only Proteas’ batter to average more than 40 in 2022 (40.07) and will be looking to start the year well. Bavuma’s odds are at 6.00 and I see value in backing him on a ground known to produce runs.

Nathan Lyon

Unlike South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj, Lyon has had a fantastic series with the ball taking 8 wickets so far. He’s caused the Proteas’ batters all sorts of problems and will be an even bigger threat at the SCG. The Sheffield Shield surface when New South Wales played Western Australia in November had a lot of turn on offer.

With Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green ruled out, the other option would be Pat Cummins who’s had a quiet series for his high standard. The best bet is Nathan Lyon with the pitch in Sydney known for providing assistance for the spinners. He’s taken 42 wickets in 11 matches at this venue at an average of 39.81.

A Hundred To Be Scored

Australia’s batsmen usually do well at this venue with first innings scores of 538 v Pakistan in 2017, 649 v England in 2018, 622 v India in 19, 454 v New Zealand in 2020, 338 v India in 2021 and 416 against England in 2022, in their last six matches. Therefore, I expect a ton to be scored in the first innings, especially if Australia bat first.

Prediction

There’s a lot of rain expected throughout the Test so a draw could be on the cards. South Africa’s batting could take that out of the equation even though Australia have drawn three of their last four matches in Sydney.

There’s value in going for a draw at 4.65 but it’s extremely risky with South Africa’s batsmen unlikely to occupy the crease for long periods. I’m backing Australia to complete a series whitewash.