ENGLAND appear set to hand a Test debut to novice leg-spinner Mason Crane in Sydney on Thursday with Worcestershire's Moeen Ali most likely to be dropped.
Coach Trevor Bayliss has given the strongest hint yet that the 20-year-old will win his maiden cap in the Ashes finale with England able to “look at some different people”.
They try to break their duck in a series lost in Perth before Christmas.
Since then, England have recorded a more encouraging draw in Melbourne to at least ensure they will not suffer a third 5-0 whitewash in four tours to Australia.
Crane’s graduation is not entirely dependent on England dropping out-of-form Moeen, 30, but that seems the most likely scenario.
Asked if Crane is ready for Tests, Bayliss said: “There’s maybe no time like the present to find out.
“We think he’s a guy that has got the goods and the more he plays at this level the better he will get. You’ve got to start somewhere.”
Off-spinning all-rounder Moeen’s three wickets have come at a high cost of 135 each in four Tests so far with only 136 runs at under 20 an innings — but Bayliss knows he is a mercurial talent.
“At the moment, the number of runs and wickets makes it one of his lows,” he said.
“But just a couple of months ago we were singing his praises as one of the best all-rounders in the world.
“Mo is a free spirit and one or two shots or wickets and he will be off and running. So I’m not concerned long term.”
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