England white-ball captain and explosive batsman Harry Brook couldn’t resist a cheeky dig after Australia made a shocking but history-breaking selection call for the fifth and final Ashes 2025-26 Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on January 4.
Harry Brook mocks Australia’s historic no-spinner gamble at SCG
The Australian cricket team fielded its only pace attack at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the first time in almost 140 years. While he remained unbeaten on 78, helping England reach a formidable total of 211/3, Brook highlighted the irony of the situation in the ongoing New Year’s Test.
After stumps on the first day due to bad weather, Harry Brook admitted that he expected to face more spin, especially at the SCG, where spin usually plays a bigger role. He pointed out how less spin bowling has been used in the current Ashes 2025-26 compared to previous tours.
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Harry Brook said at the press conference at the SCG, “Yes, I was expecting to face a bit more spin. Something came up on TV that there were only 60 overs per side or something in this whole series. So, yes, and then in previous years there were 260 overs of spin. So, yes, I was expecting to face a bit more spin than we did, but their seamers have been excellent throughout this series. They have been tireless, and they have hit the length. Over and over again.
Harry Brook mocks Labuschagne’s leg-spin
With no specialist spinners for the ongoing New Year Test at the SCG, Australia have been relying on part-time options, including Marnus Labuschagne, whose occasional leg spin has often yielded surprising breakthroughs. And Brook made the most of the opportunity by taking cheeky shots at Australia’s spin plans and Labuschagne’s effectiveness and reliability with the ball.
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Although the hosts have barely used Labuschagne, the leg spinner has bowled a few overs so far in the Ashes 2025-26 against England. Brook signed off by saying, “So, you can see why they’ve gone with a five-seam attack this week. However, a number of guys have got there. Labuschagne too.”
Harry Brooke took a cheeky shot at the end of his press conference #ash
Day 1 report: https://t.co/zra583jFzW pic.twitter.com/BzIPtfqrPc
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 4 January 2026
End of SCG tradition: the first of 140 years
Australia’s team selection became a big talking point after the first day’s play. The hosts surprised everyone by dropping off-spinner Todd Murphy and going in for all-rounder Beau Webster. It was a historic decision, as Australia went into the Sydney Test without a frontline spinner for the first time in almost 140 years.
By going with Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Webster, the hosts broke with the tradition they had been following at the SCG since 1884. However, the call was justified by Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith, who cited the green and soft pitch for the move.
“It feels bad to get Todd Murphy out, but we keep taking wickets that we don’t think will spin,” Smith said at the toss.