Matt Prior was dropped for Bairstow in the fourth Test in Melbourne after an indifferent series but his understudy gave a mixed performance, dropping a catch and failing to respond to a snick from Chris Rogers on 19 as the opener went on to score a century.
‘I feel Jonny deserves another chance. It’s very difficult to come in for one Test match. We know he’s a very talented cricketer and he will get another opportunity in this Test to show that,’ Cook said.
However, Cook’s Aussie counterpart Michael Clarke said England missed the big-match experience of Prior, who has 75 Test caps. ‘I would be surprised if Matt Prior doesn’t get recalled into the team. Being a senior player with the amount of experience he has, I think they’ve certainly missed that,’ Clarke said on the eve of the match.
SCG track pace-friendly: Clarke
SYDNEY: Captain Michael Clarke said he’s never seen more grass on a Sydney pitch and predicted it will suit pace attack as Australia attempt to complete a 5-0 Ashes sweep over England. The state of the wicket could see fast bowler James Faulkner come into the team on Friday, possibly replacing middle-order batsman George Bailey. It would be Australia’s first change to the starting XI in the series. Clarke, who won’t name the playing eleven until just before the toss, said on the eve of the match, ‘The wicket will certainly suit fast bowlers.’ The Australia captain also said he expects England to make some changes, including recalling dumped wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who has been ‘an important player for England over a long time.’
‘I feel Jonny deserves another chance. It’s very difficult to come in for one Test match. We know he’s a very talented cricketer and he will get another opportunity in this Test to show that,’ Cook said.
However, Cook’s Aussie counterpart Michael Clarke said England missed the big-match experience of Prior, who has 75 Test caps. ‘I would be surprised if Matt Prior doesn’t get recalled into the team. Being a senior player with the amount of experience he has, I think they’ve certainly missed that,’ Clarke said on the eve of the match.
SCG track pace-friendly: Clarke
SYDNEY: Captain Michael Clarke said he’s never seen more grass on a Sydney pitch and predicted it will suit pace attack as Australia attempt to complete a 5-0 Ashes sweep over England. The state of the wicket could see fast bowler James Faulkner come into the team on Friday, possibly replacing middle-order batsman George Bailey. It would be Australia’s first change to the starting XI in the series. Clarke, who won’t name the playing eleven until just before the toss, said on the eve of the match, ‘The wicket will certainly suit fast bowlers.’ The Australia captain also said he expects England to make some changes, including recalling dumped wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who has been ‘an important player for England over a long time.’