Starting off 2022 with a bang, the pink Test at the SCG was a huge success on all fronts.
Over $5 million was raised for the McGrath Foundation and it was a thrilling five-day match that went down to the final ball.
For the first time this series, England put up a fight, surviving a final-day barrage led by Scott Boland to hold on for a memorable draw.
Usman Khawaja stood out on his return to Test cricket, Stuart Broad troubled the Aussies on the way to his 19th career innings five-for and Steve Smith even managed to snag a wicket.
This is the fourth instalment of the good, the bad, the worst from this series, covering three moments from each team that defined the match.
The good
Usman Khawaja is back. A pair of tons for the match puts the classy left hander in elite company, with only two others matching his century-making efforts in a single game at the SCG.
His partnership with Steve Smith and then the tail put Australia in a commanding position after the first innings and the quick-scoring knock in combination with Cam Green took any chance of an English win out of sight.
With Travis Head expected to return to the side for Hobart, will we finally see Khawaja back at the top of the order?
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
What a final innings from England to save them from the embarrassment of a clean sweep. Zak Crawley looked magnificent at the top of the order, scoring freely on his way to the first half century for an English opener this summer.
The middle order of Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow battled hard, combining to soak up over 300 balls.
It came down to the final two overs though, and with one wicket in hand, it was up to Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson to survive.
Under bad lighting and a spinning pitch, the veteran pair held their nerve, ending the match in a hard-fought draw.
Many fans will be hoping that this fighting spirit from England signals the beginning of their turnaround.
The bad
Is Alex Carey up to standard? Many were questioning his ability with the gloves but a magnificent keeping display in Brisbane worth eight catches quietened the doubters a little.
Since then, though, he has put down six regulation chances in three matches and the pressure must be building for him again. Known as a batting keeper, an average of just 15 is not good enough.
As the long-time understudy to Tim Paine, Carey deserves the chance to find some form in the next few Test matches.
With Josh Inglis breathing down his neck, can Carey deliver?
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The English bowlers have really struggled to clean up the tail this whole series and it’s had a huge effect on the outcome of matches.
In the first innings at the SCG, Khawaja and the tail combined to score 131 runs after the sixth wicket fell, boosting their total from under 300 to 416.
England have only bowled their opponents out twice this series, with the Aussie bowlers alone contributing 60 runs on average to the team’s score.
Stopping the Australian tail wag is necessary if England desire more then a draw in Hobart.
The worst
Once again Australia have failed to bowl out a side on Day 5 at the SCG.
The bowling attack got the breakthrough early on Day 5, dismissing Haseeb Hameed for nine and Dawid Malan for four, with Zak Crawley soon following behind them.
The middle order stabilised the innings and looked likely to hold out for the rest of the day.
Enter captain Pat Cummins with two in-swinging missiles in three balls to give the Aussies hope.
Unfortunately, England’s rearguard fought dourly, holding out the fired-up, green-capped men until play expired.
Questions will be asked regarding the lateness of the declaration by Cummins and the inability of the world-class bowling line-up to finish the job.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
England need to find an opening partnership. The primary purpose of an opener is to see off the new ball and get the innings off to a positive start, so an average first-wicket stand of 14 runs is really poor.
When you factor in the point that Malan has come in with less than ten overs completed every time bar one, it is obvious the openers for England have not done their job.
After missing out on the first two Tests, Crawley has actually looked fairly impressive, with his second-innings 77 at the SCG showcasing his compact technique and ability to score freely.
It now becomes about maintaining the solid scores and cashing in when he gets the chance.
Crawley needs a partner though and none of the other batsmen England have tried this series look like they have what it takes.
Hameed was decent at the Gabba, but single-digit scores in his last six innings mean the young batsman shouldn’t be anywhere near the team list come Hobart.
After being dropped for the MCG Test, Rory Burns is likely to be recalled for the final match. But a series average of 12 is hardly adequate.
Crawley has locked up one spot at the top of the order. Can England uncover someone to pair with him?
What were your moments that defined the SCG Test?
Hooter
Roar Rookie
In fairness there are not many English innings that have lasted for more than six hours.....
Hooter
Roar Rookie
A different level of fitness too. Concentration required for three hours max in the one day game, one and a half in T20. On a long day keeping in test cricket it can be six or more hours. Hard to maintain the concentration for that length of time (important as it is). On the plus side there are some of the best keeping coaches readily available such as Ian Healy to help him.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I think it's worse that the keeper doesn't go for it than at least trying and then dropping it. They may not be dropped catches, but they are missed chances IMO.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
As I said, Carey has been keeping a LONG time. Marsh had only been keeping at FC level for 6 months when he was selected for Australia. Just completely different situations.
Paul
Roar Guru
As for comparisons with Rod Marsh and calls for giving Carey time to “grow into the role”, this is laughable at best. Why? The guy started his career under fire for dropping catches in Tests, hence the nickname Iron Gloves. That's a fact so why is that laughable?
Paul
Roar Guru
That's two Jeff. You're a tough judge if you think a genuine "chance" is one that a player doesn't go for, let alone get a glove on. Fair enough he should have made an attempt and that's something he has to work on, but I can't come at him being put down for a missed catch when he didn't get even a fingertip on it.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Agreed. He has been observed as having misses in short form. I think he's being tested in a way he's not been tested before; against the pace from the likes of Cummins and Starc. He will have likely never faced that pace and reduced reaction time keeping to South Australia's bowlers. He has kept to the Australian quicks in white ball, but that's entirely different. Leaving aside the ability to mostly forget about having to be in position to go leg side, as well as off side, given bowlers can't afford to bowl leg, a lot of the time when batsmen get caught behind in white ball, batsmen are mostly telegraphing their intentions a lot earlier by getting in position to slash at the ball. Last minute edges from a straight defensive bat as we see in Tests are far less common.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Well, he dropped 2 pretty basic catches of Hameed in Sydney. If slips fielders missed those there would be questions asked about the team's catching practice, let alone the guy who primary role is to field - and with gloves on at that. Twice Carey has watched the ball sail between him and Warner - Adelaide and Melbourne. That's four. The run out in Sydney was tough. It skipped through his gloves via a difficult return; but when you're not watching the ball go into the gloves - and he WAS wearing a helmet with a grille but still reacted by lifting his head - there's always that likelihood of that happening. So that's at least 4 and probably 5.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Carey. My view on this that he should be given some leeway on the basis he may just be having an off series/period of time. Nearly all sportsmen and sportswomen go through this. Sometimes it's not even bad form, just a run of bad luck (though some of Carey misses/mess ups have clearly been technical rather than just unlucky). Carey needs to be given another few series to demonstrate his capabilities. With Australia's schedule, that's Pak 3, SL 2 (both away), then WI 2 and SAF 3 (both home). The UK Ashes follow. BUT, if issues persist through winter, he should rightly come under pressure over next summer. As for comparisons with Rod Marsh and calls for giving Carey time to "grow into the role", this is laughable at best. He's 30 years old, with 7 years FC keeping behind him and over 80 international appearances for Australia. If he can't keep by now, he IS NOT going to "grow" into being a keeper through a few more Test matches.
All day Roseville all day
Roar Guru
Not forgetting the bails not falling when Green "bowled" Stokes.
All day Roseville all day
Roar Guru
In times like those a big-turning wrist-spinner is useful. Not necessarily a MacGill or Warne. A Bevan or Katich would do nicely.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm a huge Inglis fan and IMO he's the better all-round cricketer but the selectors have gone with Carey so he needs to be given some leeway. He'll be seriously tested over the next 10 months, not only with the tours to Asia but the mix of red & white ball cricket he's likely to play.
JGK
Roar Guru
Cummins' dropped caught and bowled of Stokes in the first innings was the turning point. If he takes that, the match could have been over in 4 days.
Hooter
Roar Rookie
It is a long time ago and my memory may not be what it once was but two of the best keeper batsmen of the last 50 years, Rod Marsh and Adam Gilchrist, did not get off to the best starts with the gloves to the point of Marsh being nicknamed "Iron Gloves" for a while. Both went on to be world record holders for their keeping achievements. Give him a little time.
Tom Desborough
Roar Rookie
Carey will be fine and I’m all for giving him a chance, just think it’s interesting that his catching ability has always been questioned and he’s dropped a few this series. I’m a big Josh Inglis fan so may be a little biased. Aus are up 3-0 which is great but there was a great chance for 4-0. Weather and light made the task much more difficult and yet they still managed to take 9. Just would have been nice to get the win and fully exorcise the demons from the India series!
Paul
Roar Guru
Tell me where these 6 chances occurred in this series. According to the stats guys on TV the missed chances at the start of Englands second innings stood at 16 to 5 England's way and there's no way Carey dropped 4 or 5 in the first 3 Tests. I'm also guessing you weren't around when Rod Marsh started keeping in Tests. Went on to become one of the best keepers in world cricket. In other words, give the guy a chance!!! You're also bagging Australia for failing to bowl out England on the last day? Seriously? Lets see, first of all it rained, which would have made the ball hard to grip. Second, the pitch played the best it had done across the 5 days. Third, Australia failed to take it's chances including a no-ball from Starc that would have had Crawley out for less than 5. Fourth, they missed a victory by one wicket when they were not allowed to bowl their quicks. Fifth, they're up 3-nil in the series, so does it matter?
Tom Desborough
Roar Rookie
That’s fair enough, but most of the drops were ones that the large majority of test level keepers are expected to take. I’m not saying he doesn’t deserves a good run at the keeper spot, just that his catching ability has always been questioned and these drops indicate the doubters might have had a point.
Tony
Roar Guru
From a catching perspective, there's quite a difference between a "chance" and a "regulation catch".
Gee
Roar Rookie
And Carey missed a likely run out chance on the last day.