Matt Renshaw and Ashton Agar are reportedly set to confirm their return to Australia's Test team when the side is named for the third and final match against South Africa at the toss tomorrow morning.
A pitch expected to take turn, combined with injuries to Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green, saw Australia bring four fresh faces into a 14-man squad for the final Test.
Lance Morris, who served as 12th man in Melbourne for a dominating victory during the Boxing Day Test, remained in the squad, while all of Marcus Harris, Matt Renshaw, Ashton Agar and the returning Josh Hazlewood were also included.
According to News Corp, all of Hazlewood, Agar and Renshaw will be included in the side to play the dead rubber New Year's Test against the Proteas.
It's understood that with a pitch likely to spin, Australia will go in with just two specialist quicks as Hazlewood replaces Boland, while Agar plays as the second spinner, joining Lyon in the attack and effectively replacing Starc.
Green's absence leaves the attack skinny on pace, but Australia are reportedly concerned about batting depth on the pitch that is likely to turn, meaning Renshaw will bat at six, with Travis Head, Marnus Labuscagne and Steve Smith to back up the four bowlers.
The selection, while looking after the batting, is also a knock on South Africa's batting, given their struggles throughout the series.
It also means Lance Morris is unlikely to play, although Pat Cummins refused to confirm the XI after training on Tuesday, instead electing to wait until the toss.
โWe're not totally sold either way (on four or five specialist bowlers),โ Cummins said.
โTravis Head and Marnus Labuschagne can bowl a bit as well.โ
Cummins also hinted that the Test would serve as good preparation for the Border-Gavaskar series in India next month.
โYesterday we had a pretty good look at the wicket, just wanted to have another look today 24 hours on. It hasn't really changed. They've taken a bit more grass of it. Looks a bit more like an SCG wicket of 10-15 years ago I think," he said.
โIt's a huge connection to India. I think with fast bowling, reverse swing is going to come into it, which we can expect in India.
โWe'll probably get more spin overs here. Our batters are obviously going to face more spin here as well. It's a really good connection. Even personally captaining here might be different to the last few Test matches. It's good preparation for India.โ
