Shoaib Bashir Earns Surprise Inclusion in England's Test Series Squad
England have chosen a 12-man squad just two days before the first Ashes Test, with the 22-year-old spinner securing a surprise place.
The 22-year-old’s inclusion suggests that the tourists will delay until the morning of the first Test to decide whether the venue conditions suit a pace-heavy attack or the addition of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the 12-man squad, indicating there are no doubts about either pace bowler’s fitness.
The other seamers round out the attack, with the latter most likely to be omitted if the spinner makes the final team.
Pitch Factors Favor Seamers
The England coach had been anticipated to opt for an pace-only lineup on a venue that has hosted five past matches.
During these matches, the majority of dismissals have fallen to seamers, with only 40 to spin.
Among these spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while all visiting spinners combined have only eight.
On a ground renowned for its speed and carry, and whose groundsman, Isaac McDonald, pledged that these characteristics are “permanent and not going to change,” a side loaded with fast bowlers is still the more likely choice.
Spin Options Weighed
Previously there was rumors that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the team to offer some spin while additionally bolstering the lower order.
However McCullum has chosen to stick with Bashir, having said previously that he would be his preferred spinner for the Ashes.
Earlier, Lyon described the English spinner as “decent,” adding that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still the English best spinner.”
“This is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who lack experience in the previous in these conditions,” Lyon said of spin bowling in Australian Tests.
“I’m not going to reveal my strategies so they perform and perform well out here.”
English Selected Team for First Ashes Test
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- The Seamer
- The Spinner
- The Batsman
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
