Overview
- Australia coach Andrew McDonald confirmed Usman Khawaja will play the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG and said there is no indication the batter plans to retire in Sydney.
- Khawaja, 39, missed Brisbane with back spasms, was initially left out in Adelaide before a late recall, and has since batted in the middle order with mixed returns.
- Selectors are scrutinising a misfiring batting unit before Sydney, with Cameron Green, Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne under pressure and Beau Webster discussed as an option.
- ICC match referee Jeff Crowe is assessing the MCG surface after the two-day Boxing Day Test, with a possible 'unsatisfactory' rating that would bring a demerit point for the venue.
- McDonald defended curator Matt Page and warned against tailor‑made pitches, as Cricket Australia faces a revenue shortfall estimated at over A$10 million from the early finish in Melbourne.