All eyes on SCG pitch for finale

AUSTRALIA is expecting the unexpected from an SCG pitch that will shape, along with Mitchell Starc’s sore foot, whether Ashton Agar plays his first Test on home soil.

Starc suffered a bruised heel during the third Ashes Test, during which he helped Australia claim an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series. The spearhead was ruled out of the ensuing draw in Melbourne but is desperate to prove his fitness for the series finale that starts in Sydney on Thursday.

Left-arm spinner Agar has been added to what is now a 14-man Test squad. It’s likely either Agar or Starc will replace Jackson Bird in the XI.

There may also be a temptation to rest Pat Cummins but the young gun has made it clear he wants to play all five Tests this summer, having become the most resilient member of the pace attack after almost six years of injury hell.

Australia hopes the SCG pitch will not be anywhere near as flat as the docile MCG deck that earned criticism from both camps and many pundits. “We’ll turn up there and see what the wicket is,” skipper Steve Smith said.

“You don’t know what you’re going to get in Sydney. One day it could be green, one day it could spin a bit. We’ve got all options there. We’ll wait and see how we go.”

Outgoing Gabba curator Kevin Mitchell Jr was presented with a gift by Smith on behalf of the team during the series opener.

Former SCG curator Tom Parker spent 20 years in the hot seat on the SCG roller but there are unlikely to be any similar tributes from Smith this week. Parker retired earlier this year, giving Smith a public clip in response to the skipper rating his pitch as poor after a Sheffield Shield game last season.