Bayliss hints at Test debut for Crane

England appear set to hand a Test debut to novice leg-spinner Mason Crane in Sydney.

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" as 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 contingent on England dropping badly out-of-form Moeen Ali, but that seems the most likely scenario.

Either way, if the leg-spinner does begin his Test career at the SCG on Thursday, he will be doing so on the same ground where his grade cricket tour Down Under last winter culminated in an unexpected Sheffield Shield call-up for NSW.

"There's maybe no time like the present to find out," Bayliss said when asked if the young leggie 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."

As for Moeen's future, the short and long term may well be divergent.

After the off-spinning allrounder's three wickets at an alarming cost of 135 each in four Tests so far, and only 136 runs at under 20 an innings, Moeen has come under fire from the likes of past players Michael Vaughan and Graeme Swann.

He is a famously mercurial talent, however - a fact not lost on Bayliss.

"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."

The contrasting fortunes of opposite number Nathan Lyon, who has 17 wickets and has dismissed Moeen every time he has bowled at him in this series, appears damning.

But Bayliss said it was difficult to compare the two spinners.

"He's 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."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird, Ashton Agar.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test Australia won by an innings and 41 runs. Scorecard

Fourth Test MCG, drawn. Scorecard

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21