Will just wait and see what unfolds from the SGC wicket prepared by ground staff: McDonald

The starting lineup for Australia's third and final Test against South Africa, which begins on January 4, won't be decided until players see the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch, which is anticipated to be spin-friendly, according to head coach Andrew McDonald on Sunday.

"One thing I've learned around wickets recently is never assume anything. I think we'll just wait and see what unfolds from the ground staff in terms of the wicket they prepare. But what I will say around that is that we feel as though we've got a squad for whatever that surface may be. We've got pretty much all bases covered," McDonald was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Ashton Agar was picked in the squad for the Sydney Test because Australia's selectors wanted a left-arm orthodox to compliment Nathan Lyon's right-arm off-spin.

Agar made his Test debut for Australia in 2013, scoring a memorable 98 against England in the Ashes. Agar last participated in a longer format match in 2017, though he did make 63 appearances in first-class cricket, scoring three hundreds.

"We feel as though the complementing type of spinner that we've picked here with the left-arm orthodox is the way that we wanted to go. Sometimes the second spinner isn't necessarily the best next spinner if that makes sense. It's the one that complements what you have and we feel like the left-arm orthodox can be successful in Sydney and also as we venture the subcontinent."

"It could be two spinners, two quicks. "It could be we could play a slightly more aggressive team with Alex Carey going into six and play five bowlers (with Agar at No.7). We feel pretty comfortable that Ash has got that skill set and he's a very mature player now and we feel that if he was to get that opportunity in India, or firstly here, that he'll be able to step up," he added.

Lance Morris, another tearaway pacer for Australia, is a strong candidate to play in his first Test at Sydney. However, McDonald is not ruling anything out. "The possibilities are endless. Lance is without a doubt the obvious choice if we feel as though we need some airspeed. The circumstances will decide that."

"I wish I could talk about it in more detail. I'll probably be in a better position to debate and talk about that in two days. If the circumstances are right, I believe that one is feasible."