Graham Thorpe calls for defiance ahead of final day

GEORGE DOBELL: With three of the top seven nursing injuries that may well keep them out of the final Test in Hobart and a pitch showing increasingly variable bounce, batting out the fifth day in Sydney will not be easy

Graham Thorpe has called on England's batters to "stand up" on the final day of the Sydney Test.

England go into that final day with all 10 second-innings wickets in hand and needing to bat 98 overs to secure the draw that would ensure the series cannot end in a whitewash.

But with three of the top seven nursing injuries that may well keep them out of the final Test in Hobart and a pitch showing increasingly variable bounce, Thorpe knows it will not be easy.

"We need two, three or four of the guys to really stand up," Thorpe, England's acting head coach said. "And for a long time.

"We obviously took some blows to some fingers. And I'm sure the lads will take whatever they need to take to make sure they can perform. They will all bat and they will all do their best. I know that.

"What I want is to see if us play positively and show a good mental approach. Scoring runs is important even when you're playing for a draw. At the beginning of the week, I said let's show a good attitude. I believe they're capable of doing it."

^{Jonny Bairstow didn't field in Australia's second innings (David Gray/AFP via Getty Images)}

While Thorpe insisted no decision had yet been made about anyone's inclusion for the final Test, it was noticeable that both Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow spent Australia's second innings off the pitch having gone for x-rays on their damaged fingers.

Although the England management are yet to announce the results of those x-rays, it is widely anticipated that Buttler, in particular, is very unlikely to play in Hobart. As a result, Ollie Pope kept wicket on the fourth day – and claimed four catches; equalling the record for a sub-fielder in Test cricket – and Sam Billings has been called-up to reinforce the squad. Billings is expected to keep in Hobart.

Ben Stokes, meanwhile, spent the day on the field but did not bowl. He, too, has had a scan on his side injury and is a serious injury doubt for the final Test.

"Could Stokes play as a specialist batter in Hobart? It's possible," Thorpe said. "But Sam Billings has been called into the group. That's a good indicator of the injuries.

"Stokes' injury is not a great one with him being an allrounder. We'll have to see what we do about that situation. But sometimes the adrenaline running through the body while you're out there can assist you. But have to assess the injury before going into a fresh game."

Thorpe welcomed the start England's openers made to their second innings. While they had only 11 overs to face until the close, they have already established England's highest opening-stand of the series so far – a modest achievement being they had posted stands of 0, 23, 7, 4, 4, 7 and 22 before this one – and seen at least some of the shine off the new ball.

"I was pleased by the way they played tonight," Thorpe said. "For players to be able to stay in the team, you have to perform. It was a good start tonight, but we need a hell of a lot more."

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