Cricket: Fraser may be left out

ANGUS FRASER may be sacrificed by England in the second Test, which starts on Saturday, as the tourists consider following Australia's pragmatic policy on the traditionally pacy and bouncy pitches at the WACA.

Australia have already made the brave step of overlooking the leg-spinner Stuart MacGill in favour of Colin Miller, who will provide back-up to the likely pace trio of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz.

It is that all-pace policy which may influence England into adopting a similar line-up, with Dean Headley and the promising Surrey fast bowler Alex Tudor competing for Fraser's place while the inconsistent batting displays could prompt the tourists into including Crawley as a seventh batsmen.

The England coach, David Lloyd, said: "We know why they have not selected MacGill, because history is telling them that leg-spin is not a big option at this place - even Shane Warne hasn't been that successful [at the WACA]."

If England do discard Fraser, Tudor is likely to take his place after impressing in net sessions, although he has bowled only 29 match overs on tour.