Ashes 2017-18: Mason Crane likely to be included for Sydney Test

Crane may make his Test debut in Sydney.

Bayliss showd his interest to include Crane in the side. (Getty)

England in all probability will include, spinner Mason Crane for the fifth and final Test match in Sydney. England currently trail the Ashes 0-3 and are looking for a consolation win going into the fifth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The series was lost after the third Test in Perth. The fourth Test, though, was drawn at MCG after a flat pitch was prepared. The draw ensured England won’t suffer a third 5-0 whitewash out of four on trips to Australia.

“There’s maybe no time like the present to find out,” Bayliss said when queried whether Crane was ready for Test cricket. “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.”

Mason Crane will feature in the line up replacing Moeen Ali who has been awfully bad this series. He has been performing under par and certainly needs to be replaced as he is not delivering with the ball as well.In the four Tests in the Ashes, he has picked only three wickets at the cost of 135 runs each in four Tests so far and with the bat, he’s accumulated only 136 runs at an average of 20 runs per inning. His horror show has earned criticism from former England players Michael Vaughan and Graeme Swann. However, Bayliss defended the off-spinner while also admitting that the series has been a low for Moeen. “At the moment, the number of runs and wickets makes (this series) one of his lows,” said the coach. “But just a couple of months ago, we were singing his praises as one of the best allrounders in the world.”

When compared with Australian spinner Nathan Lyon, England coach Trevor Bayliss was quick to point out the difference between the two bowlers. “He’s (Moeen) different to Lyon, who gets over-spin,” he said. “Mo doesn’t, and things don’t happen as quickly without the bounce that Lyon gets. 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.”

Judging by this comment from Bayliss, this is more of a tactical change from England with the team management trying out more options. 

 
 

By Anshuman Roy - 02 Jan, 2018

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