Australia will take on Pakistan in the third and the final Test match of the series at Tasmania in Hobart. The Aussies lead in the series by two games to zero and a win here will give them a clean sweep. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be looking at taking something out of the series as they haven't had much to show for the manner in which they have played.

Australia may not be looking at changing the side too much. However, Simon Katich, who had missed the last game due to his elbow injury is being looked at very closely. If he is declared fit for the game, then, Phil Hughes could be the one who could get the axe for the final game. The coach, Tim Nielsen has already said that Marcus North's place in the side is a surety for this game and he does not have much to worry about despite the continuous string of low scores.

Ricky Ponting is another batsman who was struggling with the effects of his elbow injury against the bowling of Kemar Roach as he failed to pull the ball too well. However, Ricky Ponting has categorically denied that he is looking at taking that shot out of the window as it is has been one of favourite, bread and butter shot. He has also said that the return to form is only a matter of time, and that the pull shots are "such reactive shots, they are instinctive. I'm not sure how people in the past have gone about putting them away."

From the Pakistani perspective, their main issue revolves around the presence of two wicket-keepers in the side. The PCB had hastily sent across Sarfraz Ahmed as a replacement for the woefully out of form Kamran Akmal and had said that he will play in the third Test. Akmal, it must be remembered, had dropped four catches in the previous game and had had many experts blaming him for the defeat. However, Akmal, himself has added fuel to the fire by saying that he will surely play in the final game, which has meant that he will be going against the board's wishes! It will be interesting to see how this one pans out.

The other issues are with the batting of Misbah-ul-Haq, and there is a reasonable chance that the Pakistani side may get in Sarfraz Ahmed to replace Misbah. Akmal could play as a pure batsman and Ahmed will then don the gloves. Either ways, Australia will go into the game as favourites to make it 3-0!

Tag :- Australia   Kamran Akmal   Pakistan   Ricky Ponting   Sarfraz Ahmed   Simon Katich   Tim Nielsen