Shoaib Bashir Makes Surprise Selection in England's Test Series Squad
England have chosen a twelve-player squad just 48 hours before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a surprise place.
The 22-year-old’s selection indicates that the tourists will wait until the day of the first Test to decide whether the venue pitch favor a pace-heavy attack or the addition of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the 12-man group, indicating there are no concerns about their pace bowler’s condition.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the attack, with the latter expected to be omitted if Bashir makes the final team.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Pace Bowlers
The England coach had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted several past matches.
During these matches, the majority of dismissals have been taken by seamers, with only 40 to spin.
Of those spin dismissals, the veteran spinner has claimed the bulk, while overseas slow bowlers combined have just a handful.
On a ground renowned for its speed and carry, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a team relying on fast bowlers is still the probable choice.
Alternative Choices Weighed
Previously there was rumors that Will Jacks could be brought into the team to provide some spin while also strengthening the batting lineup.
However McCullum has chosen to stick with Bashir, having said previously that he would be his first-choice spinner for the Ashes.
In July, Nathan Lyon commented on Bashir as “decent,” saying that “from my perspective, the experienced spinner is still England’s best spinner.”
“This is a massive role, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who lack experience in the past in these conditions,” Lyon said of spin bowling in matches Down Under.
“I’m not going to let my secrets out so they perform and perform well out here.”
English 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- The Batsman
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- Mark Wood
