Panicky Poms say come in spinner

L E G - S P I N N E R Ma s o n Crane’s experience playing in Sydney may earn him a debut as England try to salvage their Ashes series with a win over Australia in tomorrow’s final Test.

Trailing 3- 0 with the Ashes lost, England are considering a possible change for the fifth Test in Sydney, with Moeen Ali’s place under threat and Crane pushing for a debut.

Moeen has played 48 Tests but has underperformed, taking only three wickets and averaging 19 with the bat.

The Sydney Cricket Ground has a reputation as a turning wicket, enhancing Crane’s chances.

The 20- year- old Hampshire leggie also boasts a five- wicket haul playing at the famous ground for New South Wales last year.

Crane, who was impressing in Sydney club cricket, was called up by NSW and took five wickets in the Sheffield Shield victory against South Australia.

“With the series lost it gives us the opportunity to look at some different people,” England’s Australian coach Trevor Bayliss said this week.

Asked if Crane was ready for Test cricket, Bayliss added: “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 have got to start somewhere.”

England outplayed Australia for large tracts of last week’s fourth Test in Melbourne, only for Steve Smith to bat out the entire last day with an unbeaten century for a draw.