New Delhi, Jan. 4 -- Former England captain Michael Atherton has said that lack of spin bowling in the Ashes 2025-26 has deprived fans of variety in the test series.

At the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia played without a specialist spinner, marking the first time since 1888 that they fielded a Test XI at the venue without a frontline tweaker.

The decision once again drew criticism from former England captain Michael Atherton, who expressed disappointment over the lack of bowling variety.

"It means the cricket we have seen in this series has been a bit one-dimensional," he said in the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, as quoted from Sky Sports.

"Looking at the pitch (on day one in Sydney) you wouldn't say it offered enough for five seamers...