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SYDNEY. — England leg spinner Mason Crane will make his debut in the fifth and final Ashes Test cricket against Australia this week after all-rounder Chris Woakes was ruled out of the match by injury, captain Joe Root said yesterday.

Woakes missed a significant part of England’s home season after straining his side in the opening match of last year’s Champions Trophy and pulled up sore after the fourth Test in Melbourne last week.

The 27-year-old’s enforced absence will be the only change to Root’s side for the test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which starts today.

“He’s obviously an integral significant member of both the white ball and test team and it’s important he’s not out for a long time like he was last summer,” Root told reporters. — Reuters.