Overview
- The ECB confirmed Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of the fifth Ashes Test after scans showed a left hamstring injury sustained in Melbourne.
- Matthew Potts is widely expected to replace Atkinson in Sydney, with England not calling up a squad replacement and Matthew Fisher also in reserve.
- Cricket Australia released Beau Webster and Josh Inglis for one BBL game each, with both set to rejoin the Test squad on December 31.
- Head coach Andrew McDonald said the Ashes were "done at 3-0," locked Usman Khawaja into the SCG XI and indicated there has been no retirement signal from the 39-year-old.
- Australia are considering changes including dropping Cameron Green and selecting specialist spinner Todd Murphy, as scrutiny falls on the SCG pitch after the two-day MCG Test.