Sydney: Even with the series beyond them and the Ashes urn already back in Australia, England will be desperate to back up an encouraging performance in Melbourne and secure a consolation victory in the fifth and final Test which begins at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here, Thursday.
With the series already done and dusted, there is a possibility that England will try out a couple of new blokes and among them is the exciting leg-spinning prospect, Mason Crane. The SCG pitch has always had a tendency to help out wrist spinners and it is this history that may prompt England to blood Crane.
However, given the fierce nature of the rivalry, Australia will be looking to ruthlessly drive home their advantage with a big win in front of a big crowd at the SCG, which is sold out for the first three days.
Even though Australian skipper Steve Smith did not train Tuesday with a stiff back, Mitchell Starc who was absent at Melbourne, bowled a lively spell at the nets. It looks like he will be back again to terrorise the England batters, the way he has done in the first three Tests, with 19 wickets.
Meanwhile, Crane, who grew up playing cricket at the Sydney Cricket Club has an impressive record at the ground including a five-wicket haul against New South Wales in a game played last year. And with all-rounder Moeen Ali (three wickets in the series so far and an average of 19 with the bat) failing to fire, the England think-tank is keen to try out Crane.
“With the series lost it gives us the opportunity to look at some different people,” England’s Australian coach Trevor Bayliss had said earlier this week. Asked Tuesday, if Crane was ready for Test cricket, Bayliss stated: “There’s maybe no time like the present to find out. We think he’s a guy that has got the goods and the more he plays at this level the better he will get. You have got to start somewhere.”
England skipper Joe Root also sounded quite optimistic after a good show at Melbourne. “We are a better team than what we’ve played on this trip and that is a benchmark for our side moving forward,” Root said. “We will try to make sure that we go one better in Sydney and get the win that we want.”
To get that victory England will have to rein the free-scoring Smith. Can they do it? The SCG will have the answer in a few days time.
ICC criticises MCG wicket
Melbourne: The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch for the fourth Ashes Test has been rated ‘poor’ by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after last week’s drawn clash between hosts Australia and England saw only 24 wickets fall over five days.
“The bounce of the MCG pitch was medium, but slow in pace and got slower as the match progressed,” match referee Ranjan Madugalle said in his report to the ICC, reflecting the concerns of the match officials over the performance of the pitch.
“The nature of the pitch did not change over the five days and there was no natural deterioration. As such, the pitch did not allow an even contest between the bat and the ball as it neither favoured the batsmen too much nor it gave the bowlers sufficient opportunity to take wickets,” he added.
Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland said CA will strive to avoid a repeat and discuss the matter with the administrators of the ground. “Such a rating is extremely disappointing for all involved,” Sutherland said. “We will work closely with all our venues to encourage the best possible international cricket playing environment.”
Agencies
