Sydney is a city of celebration in January. A place that really loves a firework to see in the new year. What they enjoy more than that is the coronation of a rampant Australia finishing off a five-nil Ashes whitewash, or saying farewell to a champion (or three). But with neither of those joys available and the opening morning of the fifth Test washed away, it was all a bit drab until, with a late surge, the ground awoke.
The best treat locals have had at the SCG in modern times was when Steve Waugh roared to his career-saving century in 2003. On this first evening, they got the chance to see a pair of New South Wales lads turn it on as the shadows lengthened. Waugh levels of exhilaration this was not but a wicket from the final ball did get the joint jumping.
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