All eyes are on Australian allrounder Cameron Green as he heads into the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground under immense pressure to retain his spot in the side.
Green's Form Under Fire
Green has faced heavy criticism for his performances throughout the series, managing just 112 runs across six innings and taking only three wickets with the ball. His batting, in particular, has been labelled reckless by some former players.
In an exclusive interview with 7NEWS, Green remained confident of a turnaround. "I feel like I’m hitting them pretty well in the game, that just hasn’t quite happened," Green said. "That does happen, and hopefully there’s one’s around the corner."
Former Australian opener and Channel 7 commentator Simon Katich was scathing of Green's dismissal during the Boxing Day Test, calling it "pre-determined rubbish." Green responded by saying he is "definitely trying to play on instinct."
Webster Waiting in the Wings
The pressure on Green's position has intensified with reserve allrounder Beau Webster returning to the Australian squad. Webster, who played for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL on Monday night, was left out of the Ashes opener and hasn't featured in the series but is now a direct contender for Green's role.
Coach Andrew McDonald hinted at a potential change when addressing the media this week. "It’s a nice problem to have when people are talking about someone out of the team that’s unlucky, it means that you’ve probably got a strong line-up," McDonald said. "We know we’ve got a quality player sitting there waiting."
Spin Recall Likely for SCG
In other selection news, young spinner Todd Murphy is likely to earn a recall for the Sydney Test. McDonald admitted he doesn't like leaving a spinner out for red-ball matches, a move Australia made for the first time in 14 years during the MCG Test.
Murphy was called into the squad after Nathan Lyon's injury but was omitted in Melbourne due to the grassy, pace-friendly pitch. "It’s not something that we like doing," McDonald said of not picking a spinner. "I don’t think it’s something that will happen moving forward as well."
Despite the SCG's traditional reputation as a spin-friendly wicket, it has offered more for pace bowlers in recent years. McDonald expressed his desire to see Murphy play, stating the bowler is back to his best after some shoulder issues.
Murphy's likely inclusion will probably come at the expense of fit-again quick Jhye Richardson, given the short turnaround, Richardson's injury history, and the expected Sydney conditions. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, who have played all four Tests this summer, are fit and available for selection.
The fifth Ashes Test begins at the SCG on Sunday, with Australia looking to secure the series on home soil.
