Australia are confident they have seen enough to show the decision to play two specialist spinners on a deteriorating SCG wicket against South Africa will allow them to cash in late.
After a weather-affected opening day on Wednesday, Australia went to stumps at 2-147 after losing Marnus Labuschagne late to Proteas paceman Anrich Nortje (2-26).
Both sides brought two spinners into the clash at the SCG, where the dry wicket traditionally favours turn.
Australia's gamble is made more notable because they lack a legitimate part-time medium pacer, with Labuschagne the closest the hosts have to a back-up seamer for Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
South Africa brought five bowlers into the match - three quicks and two tweakers, with offspinner Simon Harmer partnering Keshav Maharaj.
While neither found success on Wednesday as Labuschagne (79) and Usman Khawaja (54no) took charge, Harmer had a ball rip past the latter's bat in the opening session.
"I don't think I've played on a wicket that's turned from the middle as much as it did today at the SCG," Labuschagne said at stumps.
Even with 43 overs lost to rain and bad weather on Wednesday, early signs suggest the pitch will break up more later in the match.
Man-of-the-hour Nortje noted footmarks had already been laid on the opening day, predicting spinners would play a "massive role".
That should theoretically suit Australia, given they will bowl last and spin-twins Ashton Agar and Nathan Lyon have Travis Head, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw and Labuschagne for part-time assistance.
"It was very good that we won the toss and we're 2-147, because for the little cricket that's been played there's already quite a decent set of footmarks," Labuschagne said.
"We certainly thought that these conditions were going to spin and not that pace is going to take a back seat, but the real damage is going to be done by the spinners as the game progresses."
© AAP 2023