Shoaib Bashir Earns Unexpected Selection in England's Test Series Team
England have chosen a twelve-player squad just 48 hours ahead of the first Ashes Test, with the 22-year-old spinner securing a surprise spot.
The 22-year-old’s selection indicates that the tourists will wait until the day of the first Test to decide whether the venue conditions favor a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the 12-man squad, indicating there are no concerns about their fast bowler's fitness.
The other seamers round out the attack, with the latter most likely to be omitted if Bashir makes the final team.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Pace Bowlers
Brendon McCullum had been anticipated to opt for an all-seam attack on a venue that has hosted five past matches.
In those matches, 134 wickets have fallen to seamers, with only 40 to spin.
Among these 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have only eight.
On a ground known for its speed and carry, and whose groundsman, Isaac McDonald, pledged that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team loaded with seamers is still the more likely decision.
Alternative Choices Considered
There had been speculation that the all-rounder could be brought into the team to provide some slow bowling while also strengthening the lower order.
But the coach has opted to stick with the young spinner, having said earlier this year that he would be his preferred spinner for the Ashes.
In July, Nathan Lyon described Bashir as “OK,” saying that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still the English top slow bowler.”
“This is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who lack experience in the past in Australian pitches,” he said of slow bowling in Australian Tests.
“I won't let my secrets out so opponents perform and perform well out here.”
England 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- The Captain
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- The Fast Bowler
- The Opener
- The Batsman
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Mark Wood
