Melbourne, Dec 29 (NationPress) Head coach Andrew McDonald expressed caution regarding excessive alterations for the series conclusion, as crucial ICC World Test Championship points are on the line while the Australians aim for a third consecutive appearance in the final.

The Australians are set to head to the SCG for the fifth Test of the series, holding an unassailable 3-1 lead, but the team is eager to bounce back from the disappointing four-wicket defeat to England in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

"WTC is a key objective for us. Each Test match carries immense significance, and we strive to select the strongest Test team tailored to the conditions and the opponent, as the WTC is highly esteemed within this group. We aim for consistency," McDonald informed the media in Melbourne on Monday.

Khawaja was one player McDonald assured would take the field in Sydney, dismissing any rumors regarding the veteran batsman's potential retirement from international cricket.

Khawaja commenced the Ashes series as one of Australia's openers, a position he has held since rejoining the team in early 2022. However, severe back spasms while fielding during the Perth Test hindered his ability to open the batting, causing him to miss the subsequent Brisbane Test.

Nevertheless, he rebounded successfully in Adelaide, scoring 82 and 40 after receiving a last-minute opportunity on the day of the match when Steve Smith was ruled out.

"We continuously engage in discussions regarding player statuses and communicate directly with them; there’s no indication from my end that he plans to retire in Sydney. His performance this year has justified selection, so I anticipate he will be there at the center in Sydney," McDonald stated.

Khawaja has shown no signs of retiring before the fifth Test, which starts on January 4.

"I believe Uz will approach us if he intends to retire; that’s a certainty. Following this Test match, we have an eight-month interval until the next one, giving our selection group ample time to deliberate on that decision.

If there were a series immediately following this, the situation would be different. However, with the eight-month gap, we have plenty of time to contemplate our next Test team, should Uz decide to continue," he added.

McDonald also indicated that spinner Todd Murphy would be strongly considered for the SCG match, while backup all-rounder Beau Webster is a potential candidate to replace Cameron Green.

“It’s a favorable dilemma to have. There will be discussions about selection and how Cameron fits into the picture at this time.

“We recognize we have a quality player (in Webster) waiting in the wings. We believe our batting order can perform at a higher level, so we’ll be having discussions leading into Sydney," McDonald remarked regarding his selection challenges for the Sydney Test.

McDonald is of the opinion that the SCG pitch may favor the selection of a specialist spinner and is keen to see what Murphy can contribute.

“It takes considerable effort for us to opt against selecting a spinner, and we've been compelled to make that choice,” McDonald observed.

“In red-ball matches, it’s the first time in a long while we haven’t included a spinner (in Melbourne). It’s not a decision we prefer, and I don't think it will be a common occurrence moving forward.

“I would love to select Todd. I’m eager to discover what he can bring to the table. We believe he’s back at his best, and what we've observed when he’s been closer to the team has been exceptional. We’re keen to include him," he concluded.