A sparse crowd that could have fit inside the venue even if socially distanced saw Australia post a humdrum victory against an even more depleted former world power.
Though Marnus Labuschagne is in no danger of being dropped,Australia need him to reestablish himself as one of the game’s premier willow-wielders to lay the foundation for the explosive middle order.
Shamar Joseph is on his way home to the Caribbean,but the impact of his heroics is still being felt by a Windies team riding high from one of the biggest upsets in the modern game and preparing for Friday’s ODI at the MCG.
Mitchell Marsh’s one-day international dominance in the year Australia won the 50-over World Cup in India lifted him to a popular victory in the Allan Border Medal count.
Glenn Maxwell was briefly hospitalised last Friday after falling at a Six and Out concert,while Jake Fraser-McGurk has been handed his first Australian call-up.
The veteran opener,who also announced his retirement from ODIs on Monday,will play his final Test at his home ground alongside a teammate who has been with him since the beginning.
The importance of skipper Pat Cummins and Usman Khawaja to Australia’s men’s Test side has been reflected by the pair being the only players to retain their places in our team of the year.
Willy Wonka gave out Golden Tickets,but we’ve handed out Magic Tickets to give our journalists the Christmas gift of a free pass to any sporting event ever held in Sydney.
Told he may never play again,the Brisbane quick’s rise to Test contention after multiple injuries has not been without struggle.
Who from Australia’s World Cup-winning team will be around for the title defence in four years’ time? And who is the next generation?