Brett Lee, Brian Lara bat for Lance Morris to debut at SCG

Brett Lee and Brian Lara call for Australia pacer Lance Morris to make his Test debut in the third Test against South Africa at SCG. Australia have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, following a six-wicket in at the Gabba, followed by an innings victory in Melbourne.

Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc will miss the game due to finger injuries. Lee says he will being in the now fit Josh Hazlewood in for Starc, while Morris could come in for Green with Alex Carey batting at six.

“I’m actually going to bring in Josh Hazlewood for Mitchell Starc and I’m going to unleash The Wild Thing 2.0 [Morris],” Lee said, according to Fox Sports.

“Lance Morris will come in and I will have Alex Carey bat No.6. So I’m essentially having Hazlewood, Boland, Cummins, Morris and Nathan Lyon. Then you have got an option for Steven Smith to bowl some leggies and Travis Head.”

With South Africa struggling to get even 200 on the board on a consistent basis, Lara reckons Australia would not need that much batting and hence going in with an extra bowler to completely go for the kill is the way to go.

“It reminds me of a West Indian team in the past where they had a four-pronged pace attack and Roger Harper bowling some off-spin,” Lara said.

“Of course Australia’s off-spinner is a lot better. I think that is a pretty good line-up the one that Brett [Lee] has. Get the four fast bowlers in and keep the South Africans under 250 every innings and you are going to win.

“You don’t need all that batting. I’m happy with Carey at No.6, I don’t see any problem with it.

“Keep the pressure on and make sure you play your fast bowlers. Lance Morris coming in is going to be tremendous.”

Morris is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2022-23 season with 27 wickets at 18.40 for Western Australia. Lee believes that the fact is aggressive and an attacking bowler is what should earn the 24-year-old his maiden international game.

“He’s the quickest in the West, but he could be the quickest in Australia period,” Lee said.

“The thing I like about Morris is that he is an attacking bowler. “I love bowlers who are aggressive. I love bowlers who aren’t afraid to bowl some short stuff and also some brilliant yorkers, so bring him in.

“I reckon unleash the fast bowlers and Boland will be a nightmare on that wicket.”

Australia have finally been able to win a Test series on home soil against the Proteas for the first time since 2005. Theunis de Bruyn is expected to miss the final Test as he is away for the birth of his first child. That could pave way for Rassie van der Dussen to return to the XI.