Name: Australian selectors back spinners for Sydney Test
Uploaded: 2025-12-30T06:53:22.619Z
Duration: 1 min 29 s
Description: Australia is hoping to return to a pitch that caters to its spinners for the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Todd Murphy is expected to play his first home Test.

Australia is hoping to return to a pitch that caters to its spinners for the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Todd Murphy is expected to play his first home Test.

Council of the City of Sydney

Cricket Australia is preparing for the Sydney Ashes Test by favoring a spin-friendly line-up, following criticism of the MCG pitch and its unsuitability for spinners. Todd Murphy is expected to play his first Test on Australian soil, with selectors and former players expressing confidence in his recent form and ability to perform at the SCG.

Despite having already secured the Ashes, coach Andrew McDonald has chosen not to experiment with the team, instead focusing on accumulating valuable World Test Championship points. There is also speculation about Usman Khawaja's future, though no retirement announcement has been made ahead of the Sydney Test.

Australian selectors back spinners for Sydney Test

Deemed unsatisfactory by cricket's governing body, the MCG pitch would have been a spinner's nightmare. Andrew McDonald's decision not to replace Nathan Lyon, seemingly the right one, despite the loss, but Sydney is built for spin. The wicket there often has bare patches and deteriorates and you've absolutely got to go in with a spin. Be a bit of a slower wicket and maybe a bit up and down as well. The toss will be important, you don't want to be batting last on the MCG. The former Australian Test spinner has backed Todd Murphy to help turn the tide against the Poms, in what would be just his eighth Test match and first on Australian soil. I think he's bowling really well, having seen him throughout Shield cricket. I think he's in really good form, not just the spin off the surface, he's able to repeat his best ball over and over on a length that's a real challenge. He'll be able to deliver that at the SCG and I expect him to perform really well. The former teammate of the coach says he's surprised Usman Khawaja hasn't made a call on whether the Sydney Test will be his swan song. Because they're so closely aligned with how they're making them better players and improving them, that maybe that discussion I would have expected to happen. McGain has backed McDonald not to experiment with the line-up, despite the Ashes already secure, with valuable World Test Championship points up for grabs. It's new to our thinking, the Australian public, where generally we've said let's have a look at a young player if there is this opportunity. It's no longer the case, they want to accumulate the points that they need. Sam Mills, 10 News.

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