Shoaib Bashir Earns Unexpected Inclusion in England's Test Series Team
England have opted for a twelve-player selection just two days ahead of the first Ashes Test, with Shoaib Bashir securing a unexpected place.
Bashir's inclusion suggests that the visiting team will delay until the day of the first Test to determine whether the venue conditions favor a pace-heavy attack or the addition of a spin bowler.
Both pace bowlers are part of the selected squad, indicating there are no doubts about their fast bowler's condition.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse round out the attack, with the latter expected to be omitted if Bashir makes the final team.
Ground Conditions Lean Toward Seamers
The England coach had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted several previous Tests.
During these matches, 134 wickets have fallen to seamers, with only a small number to spin bowling.
Of those 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.
On a ground known for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team relying on seamers remains the more likely choice.
Spin Options Considered
Previously there was speculation that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the side to offer some spin while additionally bolstering the lower order.
But the coach has opted to stick with Bashir, having said earlier this year that he would be his first-choice spinner for the Ashes.
In July, Nathan Lyon described Bashir as “OK,” adding that “from my perspective, Jack Leach is still England’s top slow bowler.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who haven’t done it in the past in these conditions,” Lyon said of spin bowling in Australian Tests.
“I’m not going to reveal my strategies so opponents perform and perform well out here.”
English 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- The Captain
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- The Batsman
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- The Speedster
