‘Most I’ve ever seen’: Aussies cursing ‘extreme’ SCG twist no one saw coming

Australian cricket greats can’t quite believe what they’re seeing unfold in a deciding SCG Test that defies all sorts of history and logic.

Australian cricket fans could be forgiven for cursing the heavens and the SCG pitch, which has produced a fifth and final Test played at a frenetic pace.

India was bowled out for 185 on Day 1 and Australia barely lasted two sessions with the bat on Day 2, collapsing to be all out for 181.

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It was Australia’s lowest total at the SCG since 2010 and the home side’s lowest score against India at the venue since 1978.

Debutant Beau Webster topscored with 57, but contributions were slim around him after Australia’s top order collapsed to be 4/39.

Scott Boland took three quick wickets in the final session on Saturday before India’s Rishabh Pant bludgeoned a rapid half-century to give his side the upper hand.

The fifth Test of the series has careened from one twist to another, prompting commentators to ponder the state of the SCG pitch, which is more of a juicy green seamer than previous years.

For years, Australian cricket fans have been crying out for a ‘live’ Test match in Sydney. Now they’ve got one, but the cricket gods must be chuckling at how quickly the game is going.

Perfect cricket weather at the SCG on Day 2 of the 5th test. Photo: Tom Parrish

The New Year’s Test has been a fairly dull affair in recent years. Australia haven’t lost a Test in Sydney since 2011, partly due to the muted pitches and wet weather that has plagued the fixture.

Shane Warne called for Brisbane and Sydney Tests to swap places in the summer schedule, but in 2024, Cricket Australia and the NSW Government confirmed the SCG would continue to host the New Year’s Test for at least another seven years.

Six of the last 10 Test matches at the SCG have ended in a draw, but that won’t be happening this year.

Australia went into the Test with a 2-1 series lead and requiring just a draw to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time since 2014-15.

A fast moving match played into the hands of India, who needed to dictate terms and force a victory to level the series 2-2, which would be enough to retain the trophy.

Any danger of some rain to help the Aussies out, Sydney? (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

So Australian commentators and fans were left scratching their heads at the lack of rain in Sydney and the grassier-than-usual pitch that had plenty in it for the bowlers.

Mark Waugh said on Fox Cricket: “This is the most seam I’ve ever seen in an SCG wicket.

“I grew up playing here and watching games. I can’t remember the ball doing as much on Day 2.”

Commentator Isa Guha said: “This game is moving at extreme pace. There’s still something in it for all the bowlers.”

So, where's that Sydney rain?#AUSvIND

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) January 4, 2025

Australia: All we need is a draw at the minimum and we’ve won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in a decade! We can’t afford to lose!!!

Sydney curators: haha spicy green top go brrr

— Ethan (@ethanmeldrum_) January 4, 2025

Not sure if this is a deliberate choice of pitch by Australia but you’d think the classic SCG pitch would’ve suited them better given the current state of the series.

— Karthikeya (@KarthikeyaCric) January 3, 2025

Most wickets on Day 2 of SCG Tests:
18 1886-87 v Eng, 1910-11 v RSA
16 1979-80 v Eng
15 2005-06 v World XI

15* 2024-25 v Ind

SCG has hosted 113 Tests.

— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) January 4, 2025

Brett Lee added: “I actually thought it would’ve got a little bit flatter, throughout certainly today. It’s been hot conditions, the sun’s been beating down on the wicket.

“But still a lot on offer, which I think is healthy, it’s good. Batsmen that have applied themselves have got some results.”

The Test match could well be over by the end of Day 3, the Pink Test’s flagship day in honour of Jane McGrath, the late wife of Glenn McGrath who died from breast cancer.

The former Australian fast bowler told Star Sports after Day 1: “I played at the Sydney Cricket Ground for 14 years but didn’t see so much grass cover here.

“It has been 18 years since I retired from cricket, but this is something I am seeing for the first time over here at SCG.

“The pitch is also hard down under and India did well to reach 185.”

The SCG has traditionally been a batter’s paradise, with the likes of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith, Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar making plenty of centuries at the venue over the years.

Steve Smith and Travis Head have scored two centuries each this summer, but otherwise Australia’s battling line-up has been fairly brittle.

SCG curator Adam Lewis said pre-game he was delighted by the pitch preparation after Sydney’s dire run of wet weather finally came to an end this summer.

“The weather has really been the detriment to us the last few years,” Lewis told Code Sports.

“The pitch has not been able to break up. We’ve been under the covers for such a long time and the bowlers just aren’t able to get in and get into it as much.”