For the first time since 1888 (Photo: PTI)

AUS vs ENG, The Ashes: The 5th and last Test of the Ashes series is being played between Australia and England in Sydney. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and decided to bat first. But after that, a decision was taken by Steve Smith, who was captaining Australia in this Test, which surprised everyone, especially when the team had to face defeat in the last Test played in Melbourne. This was surprising also because the decision taken by Australian captain Smith was seen after 137 years in a Test match being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

What action did Australia take in the Sydney Test?

Now the question is, what action did Steve Smith take after losing the toss in the Sydney Test? Actually, his decision was related to the playing eleven of the team. Australia once again decided to enter the Test match without a specialist spinner.

It was not that Smith had taken any new decision. This was the consecutive match in the current Ashes series and the third overall, in which the Australian team took the field without a specialist spinner. But, before this, nothing like this had been seen from the Australian team in the Test played at Sydney Cricket Ground, let alone in the last century.

Australia did this after 137 years

Australia decided to go with Beau Wester in place of Todd Murphy in the Sydney Test against England. Meaning he did not give place to any specialist spinner in the playing eleven. With this, something new was seen in the Australian team in the Test played at SCG after 137 years. This is the first time since 1888 that Australia is playing in the Sydney Test without any specialist spinner.

Beau Webster returns to the XI as Australia opt against picking a frontline spinner in Sydney for the first time in 138 years.

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— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 3, 2026

Australia's playing 11 (Sydney Test)

Steve Smith (captain), Travis Head, Jake Weatherold, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland.