Australia created an unprecedented slice of Ashes history at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, opting to play the fifth and final Test without a frontline spinner for the first time in 138 years as England won the toss and chose to bat, according.
Beau Webster was recalled to the XI while off-spinner Todd Murphy was once again left out, marking the first occasion since 1888 that Australia have gone into an SCG Test without a specialist slow bowler, according to ESPNcricinfo. The decision underlined a dramatic shift away from tradition at a venue long regarded as Australia’s spin stronghold.
Australia captain Steve Smith admitted the call was far from comfortable but said conditions left the selectors with little alternative, according to Cricket.com.au. The surface, tinged green on the opening morning, was expected to offer more assistance to seamers than spinners.
“Hate doing it,” Smith said at the toss, according to Cricket.com.au. “But when you keep producing wickets that aren’t going to spin and seam is going to play a big part, you get pushed into a corner.”
Webster replaced Jhye Richardson as the only change from the side that lost the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The inclusion gives Australia five pace options, with Webster also providing part-time off-spin, while Cameron Green’s return to bowling reduced the need for an additional all-rounder.
Australia also deepened their batting line-up in anticipation of a seam-friendly contest. Michael Neser was listed at No. 9, while Mitchell Starc, who has struck two half-centuries in the series, was named at No. 10.
England, meanwhile, continued their own seam-heavy approach, naming an unchanged spin policy for a fifth straight Test. Shoaib Bashir will return home without featuring in a match, while Matthew Potts was handed his Ashes debut in place of the injured Gus Atkinson.
Ben Stokes said England were eager to build on the momentum of their Melbourne victory, according to Cricket.com.au.
“We felt getting that extra seamer was important,” Stokes said, according to Cricket.com.au. “Pottsy’s worked incredibly hard and deserves this opportunity. Winning in Melbourne was special and we want to carry that forward here in Sydney.”
The contrasting but pace-focused selections from both sides have set up a compelling Ashes finale at the SCG, where seam movement and weather conditions are expected to play a decisive role.
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