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Moeen's position now in danger: Hussey

Allrounder struggling to make an impact and could make way for leg-spinner Crane in Sydney, suggests ex-Aussie captain

Former Australia batsman Mike Hussey believes Moeen Ali could be a high-profile casualty of England's Magellan Ashes series defeat, after the allrounder bowled just six overs for figures of 0-35 on day one of the fourth Test in Melbourne.

Moeen's position had come under some scrutiny leading into the Boxing Day Test after a series of disappointing returns with both bat and ball, having taken three wickets at an average of 117, and scoring 116 runs at 19.33 while also being dropped to No.7 after the second Test in favour of Jonny Bairstow.

Adding insult to injury, Moeen has been dismissed by rival finger spinner Nathan Lyon in five of his six innings.

"If his role is to be a frontline spinner then his position is definitely in danger," Hussey told cricket.com.au of the beleaguered 30-year-old.

"But if he's a batsman that can help out with the ball, he'd certainly like a few more runs but maybe he's got a bit more rope.

"In my mind, he's a very good batsman who can help out with the ball. In good conditions like we have in Australia, he's not going to run through a team and take five wickets."

Hussey wants selectors to stick with Bancroft

After watching the tourists struggle through another day in which they managed to take just three wickets, Hussey suggested a better way to pursue victory Test might be to employ the services of young leg-spinner Mason Crane.

"There's a bit of a sameness to their attack," he said. "I think having a top quality spinner in there, maybe a wrist spinner (would help).

"I know it's a gamble to bring in someone inexperienced like a Mason Crane, but you've got to get 20 wickets and if it's the same type of bowling coming down at you all the time, the Australian batsmen will get used to it very easily.

"Finding a wicket-taking spinner would be handy."

Moeen had been in doubt to play at the MCG but passed a fitness test after hurting his hand in the nets, and looked less threatening than part-timer Dawid Malan – who took 0-20 from seven overs and was preferred at times by captain Joe Root.

It was a rollercoaster of emotions: Warner

Moeen did not play in the tourists' initial two tour games because of a side strain. He then suffered a cut finger on his bowling hand during the first Test.

It's unclear whether he is still battling an injury after spending the bulk of Tuesday's final session fielding in the deep.

But while he has generally performed strongly outside Australia, Moeen is sure to come under pressure to hold his spot for the fifth Test in Sydney.

England skipper Root has hinted that uncapped leg-spinner Crane will be in contention to play at the spin-friendly SCG.

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.

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, December 26-30. Tickets

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