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‘No one has a clue’: Blunt reality of pitch circus; who can’t afford final Ashes flop
The Ashes series finale is finally upon us, and while Australia wrapped up bragging rights a fortnight ago, the short-term futures of players — and a coach — could be swayed heavily by their output in Sydney.
Foxsports.com.au dissects the biggest talking points heading into the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, starting on Sunday morning.
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All eyes were on the SCG pitch this week after the Boxing Day Test wrapped up in less than 32 hours courtesy of some reckless batting and a bowler-friendly deck, which later received an ‘unsatisfactory’ grade from the ICC.
Aussies pull 138-year first as England bat first in Ashes finale
Beau Webster recalled, Todd Murphy again misses after Steve Smith said Aussies were 'backed into a corner' by a green pitch
Australia have pulled an unprecedented selection move for the final Ashes Test, leaving out their frontline spinner Todd Murphy and instead picking Beau Webster for his first match of the summer in Sydney.
Not since 1888, when cricket was completely unrecognisable to the professional game it is today, have the Aussies neglected to play a frontline slow bowler for a Test at the SCG, once considered this country's spin haven.
But, with England winning the toss and electing to bat first on a green-tinged pitch on Sunday morning, Steve Smith confirmed they had defied almost 140 years of standard practice and left out Murphy for the NRMA Insurance series finale.
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In a spin: Pitch mysteries leave Australia considering 140-year SCG first
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Skipper Steve Smith has lamented the shift in SCG wickets that has Australia considering playing their first Test at the venue in almost 140 years without a frontline spinner as a “shame”.
Smith was as definitive as he’s ever been about taking one last chance to torment England in 2027, but conceded Australia still had multiple selection calls still in flux on Test eve given uncertainty around the much-scrutinised SCG pitch.
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