When an England side last set foot on the sacred sporting turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground during last winter’s Ashes, Jimmy Anderson blocked out the final over to ensure a gripping draw. It was a rare moment of visiting relief, with the series long gone. Win or lose on Saturday, their rugby union cousins will be returning home with appreciably more to show from their Australian tour experience.
From a purely red rose perspective, though, the Ella-Mobbs Cup decider is a keynote contest for a couple of reasons. Clearly there is a desire to end a long season on an upbeat note by securing a morale-enhancing series victory, a distant prospect less than a fortnight ago. To do so with a matchday squad featuring three 21-year-olds and two 19-year-olds would further hint at a corner finally being turned.
