Cricket
Australia make a bold selection call in the final Ashes Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground, rewriting a 138-year-old tradition
England captain Ben Stokes wins the toss and opts to bat in the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series at the iconic SCG
For the first time in 138 years, Australia take the field at the SCG without a specialist spinner, a rare and historic decision
Australia back all-rounder Beau Webster in the XI, choosing extra pace and batting depth over a traditional spin option
Stand-in captain Steve Smith said the damp, seam-friendly SCG pitch led Australia to opt for an all-pace attack, a rare call not seen since the 19th century.
Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Michael Nesser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland