Ashes: Clarke backs pacers to exploit green pitch

Australia captain determined to whitewash England in final Test

SYDNEY: Australia skipper Michael Clarke is hoping his rampant fast-bowlers can take advantage of a green-top pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground as his side target a 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

The home team has four huge Test wins under its belt already and victory in the final match of the series starting on Friday would complete the misery for the beleaguered tourists.

Clarke said although the pitch looked lively ahead of the game – likely to suit the side that bowls first – he expected spin to play a role at the traditionally spin-friendly ground.

"It feels pretty hard at the moment,” said Clarke on Thursday. “Looking at it today I think it will certainly suit the fast-bowlers. But in saying that I think the forecast is pretty warm for the week as well. I still believe spin will play a part throughout the Test match."

The green top will be good news for pace man Mitchell Johnson, who needs nine wickets to become only the fourth Australian bowler to take 40 wickets or more in an Ashes series along with Terry Alderman (twice), Rodney Hogg and Shane Warne.

While Shane Watson (groin) and Ryan Harris (knee) bowled in the nets on Thursday, Clarke said he was not certain of his line-up for the Sydney Test.

"I'm really confident guys will pull up fit, but we need to give them every chance and wait and see how they wake up in the morning," he said.

England have Panesar worry, no return for Prior

England have concerns over the fitness of spinner Monty Panesar but wicket-keeper Matt Prior will not return to the team for the fifth Ashes Test, captain Alastair Cook said on Thursday.

With England's best spinner Graeme Swann having retired after the Ashes were relinquished after the third test in Perth, Panesar would have been expected to be have been part of the side.

"We need to assess Monty after training today,” said Cook. "He's had a bit of a sore calf from yesterday but we will see how he pulls through training and make a decision on him either today or tomorrow.”