Overview
- Specialist spin has scarcely featured this Ashes, with Nathan Lyon’s 55 overs the only ones bowled by a specialist spinner so far.
- Statistical analysis shows the SCG is now Australia’s toughest venue for slow bowling, with spinners averaging about 49 runs per wicket over the past five years.
- Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg publicly pressed curators, saying he expects the Sydney wicket to "perform" after recent seam-dominated matches.
- Coach Andrew McDonald indicated Todd Murphy is in contention for the New Year’s Test after Australia fielded an all-pace attack in the two-day MCG match.
- Short Tests have commercial repercussions, with reports estimating about A$15 million in lost gate takings from Perth and Melbourne, while England’s spin plans remain unsettled with Shoaib Bashir not consistently selected.