Australia release Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper before South Africa decider
Maddinson and Harper have been released; Renshaw will open as Smith faces a neck fitness test.
Australia will open with Matthew Renshaw in the final Test against South Africa after releasing Nic Maddinson from the squad. Maddinson scored 0, 48, 0 and 8 in his four innings on the tour and will return to New South Wales for their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania. Sam Harper has also been released and will play for Victoria against Queensland.
Steve Smith will undergo a fitness test on his neck injury before the Cape Town Test. Head coach Andrew McDonald said Smith's availability will be assessed daily. If Smith is ruled out, Marnus Labuschagne is expected to move to number three with Cameron Green and Josh Inglis also available.
Chief selector George Bailey defended the decision to pick Maddinson, saying the left-hander's Test career is not over. Bailey said the same selection process will apply when Australia face India at home later in the summer.
CricHubb Take
Releasing Maddinson now lets Australia test Renshaw under pressure before the India series. The move signals that the selectors see the South Africa tour as preparation rather than the main event.