England [ Images ] off-spinner Jamie Dalrymple is hoping for a last-minute call-up for the final Ashes Test against Australia [ Images ], starting in Sydney [ Images ] on January 2.

The 25-year-old was a late inclusion in the England squad, replacing Ashley Giles when the left-arm spinner returned home to be with his sick wife during the third Test in Perth.

Kenyan-born Dalrymple has played 14 one-day internationals for England but is uncapped at Test level, although he did field as a substitute during the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne [ Images ].

The Sydney Cricket Ground is Australia's most spin-friendly wicket and Dalrymple's best chance of getting a start, playing alongside new first-choice spinner Monty Panesar [ Images ].

"I'm desperate to play," Dalrymple told reporters.

"If I get the chance to play at Sydney it would be superb. It would be a great experience playing against a very good side."

Dalrymple said he was unfazed by the daunting prospect facing England, insisting the tourists were determined to avoid the humiliation of a 5-0 series whitewash and spoil the retirements of Shane Warne [ Images ] and Glenn McGrath [ Images ].

"There are resilient guys here and they want to go out and win in the test next week," he said.

"There are a couple of retirement parties to break up and the team are burning to put down a marker."