Great says surprise spinner snub 'a Steve Smith decision' - Nine.com.au

SCG: Jason Gillespie has described Todd Murphy 's snubbing from the fifth Test as " Steve Smith 's decision" after Beau Webster was preferred to take the fourth bowler's spot.

Murphy not being included makes it three Tests out of five that Australia has not played a spinner while according to ABC statistician Ric Finlay it's the first time a front-line spin bowler hasn't been picked at the SCG since 1888.

Webster can bowl spin but was practicing his medium pace bowling prior to the toss.

Gillespie was convinced it was the captain's call.

"Andrew McDonald said the other day basically that Todd Murphy would play. Make no mistake, this is a Steve Smith decision," he said on ABC Sport.

McDonald had said after the MCG Test that not picking a spinner was "not something we like doing".

"I don't think it's something that will happen moving forward as well," he said.

"I'd love to pick Todd. I'd love to see what he's got to offer."

When Smith read out the changes for his side at the toss it was only Webster in for Jhye Richardson.

The captain admitted leaving out Murphy was something he hated doing.

"Hate doing it - but I've said it, we keep producing wickets that we don't think are going to spin," he said.

"Seam's going to play a big part and cracks are going to play a big part and you get pushed into a corner."

Murphy had batted in the nets during training before the Test and bowled to Smith.

Steve Smith ahead of the toss. Getty

The day before the Test, Smith had spoken of his desire for the SCG pitch to return to its old ways as a spinning paradise.

"I've always said when we come back here, I'd love the old school SCG – flat for two days, footmarks starting to come in, cracks opening, reverse swing, spin late in the game, tricky to bat, slow, low wicket, fielders in front of the wicket," he said.

"That's the ideal when you think about the SCG in the past.

"But I don't think it's been that for as long as I've been playing, unfortunately. I think it's one of Nathan Lyon's worst grounds in Australia.

"That's why all these things are being talked about."

SCG: has described 's snubbing from the fifth Test as " 's decision" after Beau Webster was preferred to take the fourth bowler's spot.