Australia created history in the Sydney Test by playing without a specialist spinner for the first time in 138 years. The final match of the Ashes series began on Sunday at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), and the Australian playing XI surprised many cricket fans.

Australia captain Steve Smith said the team had “no choice” but to leave out a specialist spinner because of the pitch conditions.

First Time Australia No Spinner at SCG Since 1888

This is the first time since 1888 that Australia have played a Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground without a specialist spinner. The SCG is usually known as the most spin-friendly pitch in Australia, which makes this decision even more surprising.

For the Australia Sydney Test without spinner, off-spinner Todd Murphy was dropped from the team. Instead, Australia picked all-rounder Beau Webster, ending a long tradition of always having a spinner at the SCG.

Steve Smith Explains Australia No Spinner Decision

Steve Smith, who is leading the side in the absence of Pat Cummins, admitted he was not happy with the decision but felt it was necessary.

“I really don’t like doing this,” Smith said. “But when the pitch offers no help for spin and seam movement plays a big role, then we don’t have any other option.”

This statement clearly explains why Australia played without a spinner in the Sydney Test.

Australia Team Without Spinner Becoming a Trend?

In recent home Tests, Australia have started focusing more on pace bowling. During the day-night Test in Brisbane, off-spinner Nathan Lyon was left out. After Lyon’s injury, Todd Murphy got a chance but was later ignored again for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests.

This shows a clear shift in Australia playing XI for the Sydney Test, where pace bowlers are preferred over spinners.

England Also Drop Their Main Spinner in Sydney Test

England also did not select their main spinner Shoaib Bashir for the Sydney Test. As a result, Bashir has now missed five matches in a row and will return home from the Australia tour without bowling a single ball.

Across the Ashes series, Australian spinners have bowled only 73 overs, while England spinners have bowled 59.3 overs.

Lowest Spinner Usage in Ashes History

In this Ashes series, spinners have delivered only 783 balls, which is the lowest number in a Test series of at least three matches since 1886–87.

In the first four Tests, spinners have taken just nine wickets, showing how little impact spin bowling has had.

Sydney Test Pitch Report: Pace Over Spin

After the fourth Test in Melbourne, which ended in just two days, Steve Smith again explained the Sydney Test pitch report and why spinners are struggling.

“When there is so much seam movement, the question is—why bowl spin?” Smith said. “If batters attack, you can easily give away 30–40 runs, and the match can change quickly.”

This further supports the Australia no spinner Sydney Test decision.

Daniel Vettori Believes Spin Will Return

Australia assistant coach and former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori believes this is only a temporary phase.

“Spin bowling is very important in Test cricket,” Vettori said. “When conditions help spin, everyone enjoys it. Right now, the conditions are different, but that can change in the future.”

Rain Affects First Day of Sydney Test

The first day of the Sydney Test was affected by rain, with only 45 overs possible. Australian fast bowlers took three wickets, while England scored 211 runs.

FAQs: Australia Sydney Test Without Spinner

❓ Why did Australia play the Sydney Test without a spinner?

Australia played the Sydney Test without a spinner because the pitch offered more help for fast bowlers. According to captain Steve Smith, there was very little chance for spin, so pace bowling was the better option.

❓ When was the last time Australia played without a spinner at the SCG?

The last time Australia played a Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground without a specialist spinner was in 1888. The 2026 Sydney Test ended a 138-year-old tradition.

❓ Which spinner was dropped for the Sydney Test?

Off-spinner Todd Murphy was dropped from the Australian playing XI for the Sydney Test. All-rounder Beau Webster was included instead.

❓ Is the Sydney Cricket Ground no longer spin-friendly?

The SCG is usually spin-friendly, but in this Test, the pitch had more seam movement and cracks. Because of these conditions, spin bowling was less effective.

❓ Did England also play without a spinner in the Sydney Test?

Yes, England also did not include their main spinner Shoaib Bashir in the Sydney Test. He missed the entire Australia tour without bowling a single delivery.

❓ How many wickets have spinners taken in this Ashes series?

In the first four Tests of the Ashes series, spinners have taken only nine wickets, showing how little impact spin bowling has had.

❓ Is this the end of spinners in Australian Test cricket?

No, this is not the end of spinners. Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori believes this is a temporary situation, and spinners will return when conditions support them.