England off-spinner Jamie Dal-rymple says he wants to the chance to break up Australia's retirement parties in the final Ashes Test if he can earn a place in the tourists' team.
Dalrymple is in line to bowl in spin tandem with Monty Panesar at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which has a reputation as a spin-friendly pitch.
Dalrymple, 25, said spirit remained upbeat despite England trailing 4-0 in the series and facing the threat of a series whitewash.
He said the tourists wanted to ruin the retirement of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, who will play their final Tests in Sydney, starting on Tuesday.
"There are resilient guys here and they want to go out and win in the Test next week," Dalrymple said yesterday.
"There are a couple of retirement parties to break up and the team are burning to put down a marker," he said.
Dalrymple has been part of the English squad since the third Test in Perth, when he replaced Ashley Giles, who flew home to care for his seriously ill wife.
The Middlesex player came on to the field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the fourth Test as a substitute fielder while the Barmy Army of English fans was in full voice.
He said he would love the chance to play at the Sydney pitch.
"I'm desperate to play," he said. "If I get the chance to play at Sydney it would be superb," he said.
RSS