The Young Spinner Earns Surprise Inclusion in English Test Series Team
England have chosen a twelve-player squad just two days ahead of the first Ashes Test, with Shoaib Bashir securing a unexpected place.
The 22-year-old’s selection suggests that the visiting team will delay until the day of the initial match to decide whether the venue pitch favor four seamers or the inclusion of a spinner.
Both pace bowlers are included in the selected squad, showing there are no concerns about either fast bowler's fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse round out the attack, with the latter expected to miss out if the spinner makes the starting XI.
Ground Conditions Favor Pace Bowlers
The England coach had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a venue that has hosted several past matches.
In those matches, 134 wickets have been taken by pace bowling, with only a small number to spin bowling.
Among these 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has taken 29, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.
At a venue renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a side loaded with fast bowlers is still the more likely choice.
Spin Options Considered
Previously there was rumors that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the team to offer some slow bowling while also strengthening the batting lineup.
But the coach has chosen 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 Bashir as “decent,” adding that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still England’s best spinner.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who haven’t done it in the previous in Australian pitches,” he said of spin bowling in matches Down Under.
“I won't let my secrets out so opponents come out and perform well out here.”
English 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- The Fast Bowler
- The Opener
- The Batsman
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
