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SCG Turns Green as Spin’s Role in Ashes Hits New Low

Public scrutiny of Australian pitch preparation intensifies over whether Todd Murphy earns a home debut.

Overview

  • Three days out from the fifth Test, the SCG surface was described as particularly green, leaving Australia weighing another all-pace attack with Todd Murphy only in contention if conditions ease.
  • Spin has delivered just nine wickets across roughly 132.5 overs this series, with figures indicating the fewest overs of slow bowling per Test this century.
  • The Boxing Day Test at the MCG ended inside two days with 36 wickets all to pace and not a single over of spin bowled.
  • Recent data show the SCG has become Australia’s least accommodating venue for spinners, with an average around 48.7 for slow bowlers since 2021.
  • Cricket Australia faces pressure over pitch standards and revenue, with estimates of about $15 million lost from two-day finishes and CEO Todd Greenberg publicly placing the SCG under the spotlight.