SOMERSET and England seamer Craig Overton will sit out the final Ashes Test in Sydney as he continues to recover from a cracked rib.

The 23-year-old had been hopeful of proving his fitness in time to feature in the series finale, but England have opted not to risk making his injury worse with a tour of New Zealand to come in February and March.

Hampshire leg-spinner Mason Crane, 20, will make his Test debut at the MCG and replaces the injured Chris Woakes in England's only change to the team which drew in Melbourne.

In a message on Instagram, Overton wrote: "Unfortunately this match came too soon again for me to play but wishing the boys all the best in the Pink Test."

His absence from the final Test means Overton will end his maiden Test series with six wickets at an average of 37.66 and 62 runs at 20.66, while his overall attitude has impressed.

He will hope to have done enough to maintain his place for the trip to New Zealand, though Toby Roland-Jones is likely to be back to fitness and the Ben Stokes situation could yet come into play.

Tom Curran, meanwhile, has an opportunity to advance his claims having kept his place for the final Test, and how Crane fares may impact Jack Leach's chances of selection for the New Zealand tour.