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After Australia’s defeat by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test of the series against South Africa, the visitors are set to make changes in their batting lineup. While the batters have not been up to the mark, barring Travis Head and Matt Renshaw, the team management will be sweating over whether to bring back Nathan Lyon or keep Scott Boland in the side. If Josh Hazlewood isn’t fit, then Lyon fits back in. If not, Pat Cummins will have to make a tough call. However, there is one player on the bench who has not been discussed enough. Former Australia opener Usman Khawaja wants left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann to be in the playing eleven for the Test series decider. Khawaja believes that Kuhnemann will be effective against the right-handed Proteas batters.
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“We’ve talked about Boland and Lyon (in the second Test), and not once have people really mentioned Kuhnemann,” Khawaja told Fox Sports.
“Kuhnemann is a terrific bowler, a Test bowler. He has a Test five-fa, and done really well for Australia when he’s played. He’s been a terrific bowler for a while.
“With the South Africans having the majority of their players as right-handers, I’m not really sure why people aren’t bringing him into contention.”
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Kuhnemann’s Test numbers
Kuhnemann has played five Tests so far and bagged 25 wickets at an average of 22.20, featuring two fifers and as many four-fers. His previous Test appearance was against Sri Lanka in the Galle Test in February 2025. He claimed seven wickets in the Test, including a four-fer in the second innings. He bagged a fifer in Galle in the first Test of the series. His maiden fifer was against India in the Indore Test in 2023.
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Kuhnemann can make Harmer-like impact
Khawaja compared Kuhnemann to Simon Harmer. The former opener acknowledged that Lyon is a legendary spinner, but he wants Kuhnemann in the mix. The list of right-handed batters in the Proteas batting lineup are Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, skipper Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen and Harmer.
“He’s a terrific bowler to keep things tight, much like what (Simon) Harmer did with our batsmen last game. I think the reason they picked Harmer last game was because we have so many left-handed batsmen. When the ball’s spinning away, it’s always slightly harder to score,” Khawaja continued.
“I think Kuhnemann presents the same option, and when it’s spinning too, he is a very, very good bowler.
“I know Nathan Lyon’s the ‘GOAT’, and there’s nothing against the GOAT! This is purely based on the fact the South Africans have so many right-handers in their team. I think Kuhnemann deserves to be talked about.”
Khawaja feels Maddinson is playing out of positions
Nic Maddinson made his comeback after a decade and registered a 33-ball duck. In the second innings, he scored a quickfire 48. He was expected to do well in the second Test but registered another duck followed by a single-digit score.
Khawaja believes that Maddinson needed to bat in the middle order where his expertise against the spinners could’ve come in handy.
“No discredit to Nic Maddinson. I think Maddinson is terrific. I actually would have put him in the middle order at the start of the series, purely based on the fact the opening is so hard of a gap to fill,” Khawaja said.
“Nic got thrown up there and he didn’t even get to face a spinner. He smacks spin too. He actually clobbers them for six, so kind of disappointed I didn’t see that the first two games.”
The search for 2nd opener continues
Since Khawaja’s departure, Australia have struggled to find his replacement as Head’s opening partner. After giving up on Jake Weatherald, Matt Renshaw was tried as opener for just one Test against Bangladesh before he was slotted in the middle order. Renshaw may open once again in the third Test if Maddinson is dropped. Two other opening options in the Australian side are Cooper Connolly and Josh Inglis.
Why is winning the 3rd Test crucial for Australia?
Australia are currently at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 standings with nine wins from 12 Tests and a win percentage of 75. If Australia lose to South Africa, they will slip to third place below South Africa, with New Zealand taking the top spot. It will be a huge blow to their WTC final chances. After the South Africa tour, they will face New Zealand in a four-Test series at home followed by the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2027 on Indian soil.
Australia will retain the top spot if the third Test ends in a draw. If they win the Test series decider, they will take another step towards WTC final.
Fitness update ahead of 3rd Test
The third Test of the series begins on October 27 at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis have attained match fitness after recovering from their respective injuries. Green is set to walk back into the playing eleven. It is not clear whether Inglis plays in the third Test or stays on the bench.
On the other hand, South Africa will be without the services of Anrich Nortje, who sustained a mild groin injury in the second Test. South Africa have a few pace-bowling options in their existing squad.
South Africa vs Australia Test squads -
South Africa squad for second Test: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
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