Shoaib Bashir Makes Unexpected Inclusion in England's Test Series Team
England have chosen a 12-man squad just 48 hours ahead of the first Ashes Test, with the 22-year-old spinner securing a surprise place.
The 22-year-old’s selection indicates that the tourists will delay until the day of the first Test to decide whether the venue pitch suit four seamers or the addition of a spinner.
Both pace bowlers are part of the selected group, showing there are no concerns about either fast bowler's fitness.
The other seamers round out the bowling group, with Carse most likely to be omitted if the spinner enters the final team.
Ground Conditions Lean Toward Seamers
Brendon McCullum had been anticipated to opt for an all-seam attack on a venue that has hosted five previous Tests.
In those matches, 134 wickets have been taken by seamers, with only 40 to spin.
Among these spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have only eight.
At a venue renowned for its speed and carry, and whose groundsman, Isaac McDonald, pledged that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a side relying on seamers is still the more likely choice.
Spin Options Weighed
Previously there was rumors that Will Jacks could be brought into the side to provide some slow bowling while also bolstering the lower order.
But McCullum has opted to stick with the young spinner, having said earlier this year that he would be his first-choice spinner for the series.
Earlier, Nathan Lyon described the English spinner as “OK,” adding that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still England’s top slow bowler.”
“This is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who lack experience in the previous in these conditions,” he said of slow bowling in Australian Tests.
“I won't let my secrets out so they perform and perform well out here.”
English 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- Ben Stokes (c)
- The Pace Bowler
- The Seamer
- Shoaib Bashir
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- The Opener
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
