Sydney

It seems only days since the captains were tossing up at Brisbane and Peter Siddle was engendering a sense of déjà vu among England supporters, but tonight we come to the final test. England, of course, already hold the Ashes but they will be desperate for the series win that their cricket has merited, while Australia will be looking for respectability and for something that they can build on as they move forward into 2011.

Sydney is no longer the raging turner of old, but there should be enough there to keep Graeme Swann interested and for Australia to give Michael Beer a belated debut, especially given the injury to Ryan Harris. The big story, of course, is the absence of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke’s captaincy and Usman Khawaja’s debut. I have written about Ponting elsewhere, but Clarke’s story is almost as interesting. For so long the heir apparent, the wheels have come off his batting of late and he is rumoured to be unpopular with his team mates, so this will be a massive test of his credentials for the job. If Australia lose heavily then it will be fascinating to see what the selectors do. Khawaja, meanwhile, is in for a potentially tough debut, but his technique looks good and he will be eager to impress. I can’t help wondering, though, what those elements of the Australian media and public who have been keen to point out the South African origins of some England players make of his selection.

England will, presumably, be unchanged, although there may be some thought of brining Finn back into the side. Looking ahead, though, it seems likely that this will be Paul Collingwood’s final test, and he and the side will be keen to make it a memorable one. My prediction? England to win comfortably, exposing the long Australian tail, and to fulfil my pre-series prediction of a 3-1 win.