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Agence France-Presse

Crisis-torn Australia will attempt to prevent rampant South Africa from an unprecedented series clean sweep in Thursday’s day-night third test in Adelaide after a team shake-up of historic proportions.
Stung by two humiliating defeats in Perth and Hobart, the Aussies have made six changes in a bid to stop the rot and fight off the Proteas’ quest to become the first touring team to sweep a series in Australia.
It is a seismic selection switch in the wake of last week’s sudden resignation of chairman of selectors Rod Marsh and intensifying pressure on the game’s top officials and coach Darren Lehmann.
Watch: Interim chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns announces four uncapped players in new-look squad


Not since only two players from the fifth test against England in August 1977 made it into the team for the first test against India three months later, after World Series Cricket rebelled against the establishment, has there been such a clean-out of the Australian side.
The last time there were as many as five changes mid-season – which is likely given either pacemen Jackson Bird or Chadd Sayers is likely to be 12th man in Adelaide – was in the 1977-78 series against India after an innings defeat in Sydney.
Australia call on Trevor Hohns and Greg Chappell to stop batting rot
Selectors, with Trevor Hohns taking over from Marsh as interim chairman, named three young batsmen – English-born Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson – to make their debuts and recalled Sayers, Bird and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade.
It was a decisive and drastic intervention by the under-fire selection panel in the wake of Australia’s fifth straight heavy test defeat, including the 3-0 series drubbing in Sri Lanka last August.
“I’m not for one minute going to suggest an immediate turnaround,” Hohns said.
“Patience will be required but we are obviously hopeful that these players can gel together and ultimately stop the downward losing momentum we are currently experiencing.
Australia chief selector Rod Marsh quits over test crisis after South Africa series defeat
“It’s no secret that our test team has not functioned or performed to the level we expect.
“We accept that a lot of the criticism that has come our way has been warranted, however, I ask that everybody take a deep breath and get behind these blokes in what is going to be a very testing time for them.”
The reinforcements will be aiming to bolster Australia’s insipid batting, which was routed for 85 by South Africa in Hobart after suffering a humiliating 10 for 86 collapse in the first innings at Perth.
Lehmann said it was important he and fellow coaches instil confidence and positivity in the new-look squad.
“I’ve never seen a side so hurt after Hobart, an Australian side. We’ve got to pick them up, get them positive,” he said.
South Africa humble Australia after Hobart collapse to claim third straight test series Down Under
South Africa have problems of their own with skipper Faf du Plessis facing an ICC charge of ball tampering in the Hobart test.
Du Plessis, who was fined 50 per cent of his match fee in 2013 for ball tampering in the second test against Pakistan, has pleaded not guilty but could face a one-match ban, which may force him out of the Adelaide match.
Heightening tensions ahead of the game, South African security staff shoved an Australian television reporter up against a glass door as he attempted to interview du Plessis at Adelaide airport on Monday, with the team accusing the media of “harassment”.
Despite this, the South Africans, with their pace trio Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Kyle Abbott dominating the Australian batting, will fancy their chances bowling with the pink ball in swinging conditions under lights at Adelaide Oval.
It will be only the second day-night test in Australia after the home side thrillingly beat New Zealand by three wickets on only the third day in Adelaide last year.


Desperate Australia roll the dice to stop rampant Proteas after Hobart humiliation

South Africa’s Kyle Abbott celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of Australia’s Nathan Lyon to win an incredible match in Hobart. Photo: Reuters

epa05631804 South African bowler Kyle Abbott (R) reacts after dismissing Australian batsman Usman Khawaja for 64 runs on day four of the second Test match between Australia and South Africa at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 15 November 2016. EPA/DAVE HUNT -- EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP -- AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Cricket - Australia v South Africa - Second Test cricket match - Bellerive Oval, Hobart, Australia - 15/11/16. South Africa's Kyle Abbott watches as team mate and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock takes a catch to dismiss Australia's Mitchell Starc. REUTERS/David Gray

(FILES) This file photo taken on December 1, 2015 shows Australia's cricket chairman of selectors Rod Marsh speaking at a press conference at the Adelaide Oval. Marsh has stepped down with immediate effect after a humiliating run of five heavy Test defeats, Cricket Australia said on November 16, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

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Crisis-torn Aussies attempt to prevent South Africa clean sweep in Thursday’s day-night third test in Adelaide after a team shake-up


Desperate Australia roll the dice to stop rampant Proteas after Hobart humiliation

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Crisis-torn Aussies attempt to prevent South Africa clean sweep in Thursday’s day-night third test in Adelaide after a team shake-up

Crisis-torn Aussies attempt to prevent South Africa clean sweep in Thursday’s day-night third test in Adelaide after a team shake-up