The SCG's new grounds manager, Justin Groves, has certainly made an impression in his first Test in charge at the famous venue.
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Groves and curator Adam Lewis promised the Sydney Test pitch would live up to its reputation as one that turned as the match went on and, as Alastair Cook could attest to on the fourth afternoon, it did just that.
A mate of Nathan Lyon, the man who bowled the brilliant delivery that took the top of Cook's off stump, Groves was also wheeled out and interviewed by Tony Squires on Sunday at an SCG Trust lunch attended by former Prime Minister John Howard and Channel 9 commentators Shane Warne and Bill Lawry, among others.
When a man in a suit appeared on the ground atop the SCG roller during a drinks break soon after, the first impression was that one of the corporate types who Cricket Australia sometimes allow onto the playing surface had taken his access a tad too far.
However, it turned out it was Groves, who didn't have time to change back into shorts and a polo after the lunch and so proceeded to give the pitch a roll, complete with jacket and tie on.
This was despite having just told those in air-conditioned comfort in the trust suite that a thermometer set up in the middle of the ground had just recorded the temperature at more than 53 degrees.
Crane's Test memento
Mason Crane has not had the happiest of Test debuts but we hear the young spinner is still keen on taking home a memento from his week in Sydney.
Crane finished with the unflattering figures of 1/193 from 48 overs, but before he gets too downhearted he should remember there was a fellow leggie who returned 1/150 26 years earlier.
Players from both sides have donated their signed team shirts and a pink baggy cap to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.
The Tonk has been told Crane, who played for NSW last season, is keen to buy back his cap. He might have to dip deep into his pockets. As of Sunday afternoon 3pm, the highest bid in the online auction was at $939.
England opener Mark Stoneman, who played several seasons of grade cricket in Sydney, is another who wants to take home his cap. His was going for a fraction of Crane's at $259.
The Tonk has had a quick glance through some of the other items on sale and it's no surprise which player is attracting the most market interest. The top three items all belong to Steve Smith, the most expensive of which was his signed team shirt which was standing at $3,099. All proceeds go to the McGrath Foundation.
Spirit of cricket
The Pink Test has been embraced by the cricket community, all the way to the top. Spotted rattling tins on Saturday was none other than Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland.
Sutherland and volunteer Grace Keeping did a pretty good job as well. They raised $1000 in 20 minutes, prompting one wag to quip Sutherland was accepting only $50 notes.
Helping hand
Spare a thought for our colleagues behind the camera, who braved the scorching conditions behind the boundary rope on Saturday to bring pictures of the penultimate day of the Ashes series to the world.
They were at least given a small helping hand from the Australian team, whose strength and conditioning man Aaron Kellett provided some of the side's supply of hydration powder to be mixed up for the snappers.