SYDNEY: Australia skipper Michael Clarke is hoping his rampant fast bowlers can take advantage of a green-topped pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground as his side target a 5-0 Ashes whitewash.
The home team have four huge Test wins under their belts already and victory in the final match of the series starting on Friday would complete the misery for the beleaguered tourists.
Clarke said although the pitch looked lively ahead of the game – likely to suit the side that bowls first – he expected spin to play a role at the traditionally spin-friendly ground.
“I think a day of sun today and (with) a lot of rolling it might whiten up a bit. But that’s as much grass as I’ve seen on an SCG pitch,” he said on Thursday.
“It feels pretty hard at the moment. Looking at it today I think it will certainly suit the fast bowlers. But in saying that I think the forecast is pretty warm for the week as well. I still believe spin will play a part throughout the Test match.”
The green top will be good news for paceman Mitchell Johnson, who needs nine wickets to become only the fourth Australian bowler to take 40 wickets or more in an Ashes series along with Terry Alderman (twice), Rodney Hogg and Shane Warne.
Of those, only Warne took his 40 wickets in a five-Test series, a feat that Johnson is seeking to emulate.
Clarke said there was no need for him to rally his players before the game.
“I think that desire burns within every single player in the changeroom. I said that before Melbourne (fourth Test) and I think we showed with the way we played,” said the captain.
“This Test is no different. This is important. We want to continue to run with the momentum we have at the moment and continue playing good cricket and getting the results we’ve been getting.” (AFP)
