Shoaib Bashir Earns Unexpected Selection in English Ashes Squad
The English team has chosen a 12-man squad just two days ahead of the opening Test match, with the 22-year-old spinner earning a unexpected spot.
Bashir's inclusion indicates that the tourists will delay until the day of the initial match to determine whether the venue conditions favor a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spin bowler.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the selected squad, showing there are no concerns about their pace bowler’s fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the bowling group, with the latter most likely to be omitted if the spinner enters the final team.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Seamers
The England coach had been anticipated to choose an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted several past matches.
During these games, the majority of dismissals have been taken by seamers, with only a small number to spin.
Of those spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while all visiting spinners together have only eight.
At a venue known for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, Isaac McDonald, stated that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a team loaded with fast bowlers is still the probable choice.
Alternative Choices Weighed
Previously there was speculation that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the side to provide some spin while also bolstering the batting lineup.
However McCullum has chosen to stick with Bashir, having said previously that he would be his preferred slow bowler for the Ashes.
Earlier, 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 significant test for people who haven’t done it in the previous in these conditions,” Lyon said of slow bowling in Australian Tests.
“I won't reveal my strategies so opponents come out and excel out here.”
English 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- Ben Stokes (c)
- The Pace Bowler
- The Seamer
- The Spinner
- The Batsman
- Brydon Carse
- The Opener
- The Batsman
- Ollie Pope
- The Veteran
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
