Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has said that he is considering changes to the playing eleven for the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025-26 against England. McDonald said all-rounder Cameron Green could be ruled out due to form and balance concerns, adding that the team had quality backups available.
The fifth and final Test between Australia and England will be played from January 4 to 8 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Cameron Green has struggled to perform well with the bat in the current series, averaging just 18.6, the second lowest among recognized batsmen on both teams, ahead of only Ben Duckett.
With the ball, Cameron Green has bowled 37.5 overs in four Test matches, taking three wickets at an average of 52.6. As a result, demands are being raised to make changes in the playing eleven for the Sydney Test. Beau Webster and Josh Inglis are among the players being considered as possible replacements for the final Test.
It’s a good problem to have – Andrew McDonald on Cameron Green’s form
Andrew McDonald said that with Cameron Green under pressure and Beau Webster waiting for an opportunity, he described the situation as a healthy selection dilemma. He said that further talks will be held before deciding the final eleven for Sydney.
“It (the selection dilemma) is a good problem to have. People are going to debate the selection. They’re going to debate where Cameron (Green) is at the moment and how he fits in,” McDonald said on Monday.
“We know we have a quality player waiting for us (in Webster). We have a batting order that we would like to think can operate at a high caliber, so we will have a conversation in Sydney,” he said.
I would love to pick Todd Murphy – Andrew McDonald
Andrew McDonald said Todd Murphy is likely to feature in the Sydney Test, with SCG conditions expected to suit a specialist spinner. He said Australia were not comfortable going into red-ball matches without a frontline spinner and said Murphy was back in good form.
“It took a lot of hard work for us not to pick a spinner and we were forced to take this decision,” McDonald said.
“In red-ball games, it’s the first time in a long time that we haven’t picked a spinner (in Melbourne). It’s not something we like to do. I don’t think it’s something that will happen going forward.
He said, “I would love to select Todd (Murphy). I would love to see what he can offer. We think he is back to his best, and what we have seen as he has gotten closer to camp has been excellent. We would love to select him.”
Beau Webster and Todd Murphy are being considered for the playing eleven
Beau Webster made his Test debut against India at the SCG in January 2025. He scored a half-century in that match and dismissed Shubman Gill. Webster has since featured in Tests in Sri Lanka, the World Test Championship final at Lord’s and a series in the West Indies, but has not played in the Ashes.
Todd Murphy joined the team as cover after Nathan Lyon was ruled out with injury. Australia has gone without a frontline spinner three times in five Test matches, including twice in the ongoing Ashes series.
Lyon was also left out of the day-night Test in Jamaica earlier this year and also missed the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. Although the hosts regained the Ashes within 11 days, they suffered defeat at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia is still ahead 3-1 in the five-match series.
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