Sydney should never follow the path of Melbourne and have a drop-in wicket introduced, says Cricket NSW chairman John Warn, who has gone on the front foot on behalf of players and fans days before the fifth and final Ashes Test.

With a review being launched into the flat MCG pitch that stymied the chances of a result in the fourth Test there is renewed focus on the SCG square in the lead-up to Thursday's first day.

Running repairs: A groundsman hits the pitch with a sledgehammer on day five of the Boxing Day Test. Credit:AAP

The famous ground, which staged its first Test in 1882, hasn't hosted a first-class game this season and has a new curator in charge but it is the future beyond the final leg of the series against England that worries administrators.

The debut of Perth's new Optus Stadium next summer will leave the SCG and Brisbane's Gabba as the only top-line Test venues in Australia with traditional wickets. And the example of what went wrong at the MCG has only further highlighted for officials the importance of pushing back against an AFL-driven desire for drop-in pitches at venues that the codes share.