Dramas over, SCG to take turn: curator

The SCG has overcome its early season dramas and the pitch for the Third Test will be conducive to spin, says curator Tom Parker.

Australian cricketers during a training session

Curator Tom Parker says the SCG has overcome its early season dramas and will be conductive to spin. (AAP)

Curator Tom Parker believes the SCG has overcome its early season dramas and he has backed Australia's decision to play two spinners in the third Test against West Indies.

Captain Steve Smith on Saturday confirmed Stephen O'Keefe will take Peter Siddle's place in the Australian side for the final Test of the season starting on Sunday and Parker said he expects a traditional SCG turner.

It is the first time Australian will play two spinners in a home Test since Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill played side-by-side in the eight-wicket win over South Africa at the SCG in 2006.

Traditionally known as a spinner's wicket, Parker said he hoped the SCG would return to form this summer.

"It is a very traditional SCG pitch, a little bit of grass on it, a bit of a green tinge but it is very, very hard," Parker said in his traditional pre-Test match press conference on Saturday.

"I think there will be some turn, the pitch has been turning in the (Sheffield) Shield games this year and also during the (Sydney) Sixers matches.

"It is always pleasing (to see Australia play two spinners) with the tradition of the SCG being a spinning track. We just have to hope that it does (take turn) and it holds up to expectations."

The SCG has had its troubles this summer. A Sheffield Shield match between NSW and Victoria was abandoned in November after the outfield was deemed unfit for play.

But on Saturday as the final touches were put on the wicket and the outfield there appeared no such problems.

"We have moved on from that," Parker said.

However bad weather could be a problem with heavy rain forecast late on day one and on days two and three.

"That is the concerning part for this match," Parker said.

"It is not looking good at the moment, the weather is going to play a good part in this. I think it will go five days."


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Source: AAP



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