Unchanged Australian side for fifth Ashes Test Friday, December 29, 2006 03:28 [IST]
Sydney: Selectors declined to
call on the use of a second spinner when they named an unchanged Australian
side for the fifth and final Ashes Test against England starting Tuesday at the
Sydney Cricket Ground. There was no place for SCG specialist leg-spinner Stuart
MacGill when the team was named for the anticipated spin-friendly pitch.
The Australians are chasing the first Ashes 5-0 series clean
sweep in 85 years with victory in the Sydney Test.
The New Year Test also marks the final match for all-time
great Australian bowlers Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, who have announced
their retirements from Test cricket.
Brett Lee's four-wicket second innings haul in Australia's
win by an innings and 99 runs over England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Thursday is likely to ensure paceman Mitchell Johnson will again be the 12th
man.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Stuart
Clark, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden,
Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath,
Andrew Symonds.
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