Shoaib Bashir Makes Unexpected Inclusion in English Ashes Team
England have chosen a twelve-player squad just 48 hours before the opening Test match, with the 22-year-old spinner earning a surprise spot.
The 22-year-old’s inclusion suggests that the tourists will wait until the morning of the first Test to determine whether the venue conditions favor a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spin bowler.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the selected squad, showing there are no concerns about either pace bowler’s condition.
The other seamers round out the bowling group, with Carse expected to miss out if the spinner makes the starting XI.
Pitch Factors Favor Seamers
The England coach had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has staged five previous Tests.
During these matches, 134 wickets have been taken by pace bowling, with only a small number to spin bowling.
Among these spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have just a handful.
At a venue renowned for its speed and carry, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side loaded with seamers is still the probable decision.
Spin Options Considered
Previously there was speculation that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the team to offer some spin while also strengthening the batting lineup.
But the coach has chosen to keep faith with the young spinner, having said earlier this year that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the series.
In July, Lyon commented on Bashir as “OK,” saying that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still England’s top slow bowler.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who haven’t done it in the previous in these conditions,” he remarked of spin bowling in matches Down Under.
“I won't let my secrets out so they come out and excel out here.”
England 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- The Captain
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- The Batsman
- The Fast Bowler
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- The Wicketkeeper
- Mark Wood
