Third Test, Day One highlights, results, latest updates; Major batting issues doomed South Africa, says Mark Taylor

Plenty of speculation about the pitch at the SCG, with suggestions it could take plenty of spin.

“Going out and looking at the wicket, it looks really dry (and) could crumble pretty quickly,” Alyssa Healy said on Fox Cricket.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in my lifetime.”

Australia has just the four specialist bowlers, but plenty of part-time options in the likes of Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head.

“It probably looks like a traditional SCG wicket, it might turn a bit, probably at it’s best (for batting) on day one,” said Pat Cummins at the toss.

Steve Smith told Fox Cricket that it looks similar to a pitch used for a recent Sheffield Shield match.

“If that’s the case, it could be quite nasty,” he said.

“With some bowlers bowling 140-150 km/h, if it takes some dust and takes off, it could be pretty nasty.”