Australia Looks to Boost Batting in Deciding Test Against South Africa

Australia's batting group is focused on turning starts into significant scores in the Cape Town Test, with the team yet to decide on a lineup for the third and deciding Test against South Africa, Cricket Australia reported on Monday.

The tourists are expected to make changes, with Nic Maddinson likely to be dropped and Cameron Green to return, while Marnus Labuschagne's spot is under speculation.

Labuschagne has had a run of starts, with six of his past nine scores between 30 and 49, and South Africa's Proteas teased that they may target him if he plays.

Australia has struggled with batting, being 4-95 or worse in 13 of their past 23 innings, and only having two players score centuries together once since last June.

In their past four Tests, Australia has had six instances of batters passing 50, compared to 22 scores of between 20 and 49.

Alex Carey, who has also been guilty of not making use of recent starts, said the batting group needs to convert starts into more runs.

"As a batting group, we've got to convert those starts into more runs and hopefully back up that one performance," he said.

South Africa's wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton suggested they would try to get into Labuschagne's head over his run of starts, with Marco Jansen engaging in some banter with Labuschagne last week.

The third Test will be held from October 27-31 at Newlands, Cape Town, and will be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket.

Background

Australia and South Africa have a long history of competitive cricket. The latest series comes after the notorious Sandpaper Gate, which saw three of Australian cricketers suspended and Smith losing his captaincy.

The series decider will be crucial for both teams, with South Africa looking to bounce back from a thumping defeat in the second Test, where they won by an innings and 31 runs.