Sydney Cricket Ground Stats For AUS vs PAK 3rd Test
Sydney Cricket Ground (Twitter)
The marquee New Year's Test between Australia and Pakistan will be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground from Wednesday (January 3). Even though the series honours now rest comfortably with the hosts, the visitors have pride and World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake.
The Pat Cummins-led dominant hosts won the first two Tests in Perth and Melbourne comfortably as they continued their historic winning streak at home against the Asian Giants, who have now shockingly lost their previous 16 consecutive Tests Down Under.
The in-transition Pakistan side under Shan Masood's captaincy gave the Australians a mini-scare in the final innings of the Boxing Day Test. However, they failed to withstand the Aussies long enough to turn it into a real dogfight.
Masood's men will have to punch above their weight if they are to give Australians a harder time in the middle and avoid another Test series whitewash in the country, having suffered a complete battering on their previous five trips.
Sydney Cricket Ground Stats
Known for its flat batting surface with low bounce and insignificant lateral movement, the Sydney Cricket Ground should suit the Pakistani side a lot more than venues in Perth and Melbourne did. However, their previous results at the venue don't inspire great confidence, facing five consecutive defeats.
One of the oldest Test venues in the world, the iconic SCG has witnessed 111 Tests in the format's 146-year-old history. Contrary to perceptions, Asian sides don't quite enjoy the best of times playing at this ground with only three wins - India (1978) and Pakistan (1977 & 1995) - from the subcontinent rivals recorded in the last six decades.
On 47 occasions, the team batting first has gone to achieve victory at the venue while those fielding first and chasing have come out triumphant 41 times.
Teams have historically preferred batting in Sydney to put runs on the board while making sure the opposition bats when the surface starts further drying out and offers spinners turn and pacers uneven bounce to exploit.
| SCG Ground Stats | |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 111 |
| Matches Won (Batting First) | 47 |
| Matches Won (Batting Second) | 41 |
| Highest Team Total | India 705/7 dec vs Australia, 2004 |
| Lowest Team Total | England 45 vs Australia, 1887 |
| Average Total Batting 1st | 387 |
 "Kashish Chadha")
