Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 28 December 2010 /

Ed Hawkins bemoans Ryan Harris' injury and helps the Australia selectors come up with a team that could salvage some pride in Sydney...

A kick in the Harris. I suppose with everything going so well, it was inevitable that bettors would have to suffer some misfortune along the way. England are charging to victory at the MCG with our cash jangling satisfyingly in their pockets but the injury to Ryan Harris, who looked as though he had the ability to bustle his way to top bowler honours, means a bet has fallen by the wayside.

Two bets actually because we were on him for top series wicket-taker, too. But really, it doesn't matter. Harris' Test career is under threat with this latest injury and it is more than a little churlish to whinge when a guy's job is on the line.

Harris turned his ankle in his run-up and suffered a stress fracture. Some achievement that. He will undergo surgery which threatens his participation in the World Cup. With Australia beaten, they are unlikely to send him out to bat.

Ah yes, Australia beaten. They made for a sorry sight on day three and England should wrap up victory nicely on the morning of day four, just as our stats at this time yesterday suggested.

At 169 for six, with Tim Bresnan have ridden roughshod over their survival plans with three wickets, the Ashes will remain in England hands. But Australia can regain some pride in the final Test in Sydney. They will need to get selection right, though.

For a start they need to find a replacement for Harris. Doug Bollinger is a possibility but a better selection would be to pick the lanky South Australia bowler Peter George. He has already played Test cricket - against India - and did not disgrace himself.

Australia should stick with Mitchell Johnsoin in the hope that in a game when the pressure is off, his fragile confidence holds.

Nathan Hauritz absolutely must return at the expense of Steven Smith, whose selection has highlighted just how confused Australia have been during this series. We'll move Brad Haddin up to No 6 with Hauritz batting at No 8. Not ideal but Australia need to attack.

Finally, we'll drop Phillip Hughes. His technique is out of a comic book and he will never make it as a Test cricketer unless he does something about it. There is nothing wrong with his eye so he cannot be completely be written off but it is unlikely we'll see him again.

His place should go to the promising Usman Khawaja. By becoming the first Muslim to play for Australia, the national team will show themselves as progressive. It is exactly the kind of move which could kickstart something.

He won't open though. Move up Mike Hussey, who started as an opener. Finally, Australians, or their backers, should hope and pray that Ricky Ponting produces an innings built on emotion. He's only got two left, surely, as Australia captain so best make them count.

Ed Hawkins Australia team for Sydney: Watson, Hussey, Ponting, Clarke, Khawaja, Haddin, Johnson, Hauritz, Siddle, Hilfenhaus, George

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