One of Matthew Potts or Shoaib Bashir are set to make their Ashes debut in the fifth Test at the SCG, while Aussie captain Steve Smith has admitted all options are on the table for the hosts. Coach Andrew McDonald hinted this week that spinner Todd Murphy would play in the series finale in Sydney, but Smith refused to confirm that on Saturday.
Smith said the Aussies haven’t decided on the likes of Murphy, Cameron Green and Beau Webster, and admitted there’s a possibility they could play both all-rounders in the XI. The SCG pitch doesn’t tend to spin as much as it used to, meaning the Aussies are no certainty to play a tweaker in Murphy.
Steve Smith (L) refused to guarantee anyone’s place, including Todd Murphy and Cameron Green (R). Image: Getty
“No one’s locked in yet,” Smith said. “We haven’t picked a team. There’s 13 or 14 guys on the table, we want to see the wicket and see how we match up against that.
“I love the old-school SCG – flat for two days, footmarks starting to come in, cracks opening, reverse swing, spin late in the game, tricky to bat, slow, low wicket, fielders in front of the wicket. But I don’t think it’s been that as long as I’ve been playing, unfortunately. It’s probably one of Nathan Lyon’s worst grounds in Australia, that’s why all things are being talked about.”
Cameron Green and Todd Murphy during a nets session before the fifth Ashes Test. (Photo by Robbie Stephenson/PA Images via Getty Images)
Smith launched a passionate defence of Green, with many calling for him to be dropped. “We’ve played on some hard surfaces for batting. We’ve seen two two-day games. It’s not easy, but he’s got himself in on a few occasions and probably not gone on with it,” the stand-in skipper said.
“That’s probably the disappointing part about it, starting your innings is actually the hardest thing, he’s doing that pretty well and just finding a way to get out. He’s batted in different spots, which also can’t be easy as well when you’re trying to nail down one sort of role.”
Matthew Potts will likely make his Ashes debut in Sydney. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)
Matthew Potts or Shoaib Bashir to make Ashes debut
For England, seamer Potts and spinner Bashir were included in a 12-man squad named on Friday. With Gus Atkinson joining Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in the injured list, one of Potts or Bashir will play their first Test in an Ashes series.
Potts has played 10 Tests in his career to date, with Bashir has played 19. Potts is expected to add to his 10 caps on Sunday, having last played a Test in December 2024. Bashir could also find himself in the XI over Will Jacks.