Shoaib Bashir Makes Unexpected Selection in English Test Series Squad
The English team has chosen a twelve-player selection just 48 hours ahead of the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a unexpected spot.
The 22-year-old’s inclusion indicates that the visiting team will wait until the day of the initial match to determine whether the venue conditions favor four seamers or the addition of a spinner.
Both pace bowlers are part of the 12-man group, indicating there are no doubts about their fast bowler's condition.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the attack, with the latter expected to miss out if Bashir enters the starting XI.
Pitch Factors Favor Pace Bowlers
The England coach had been anticipated to opt for an pace-only lineup on a ground that has hosted five past matches.
In those games, 134 wickets have been taken by seamers, with only a small number to spin.
Of those 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has taken the bulk, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.
At a venue known for its speed and carry, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, pledged that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a side relying on fast bowlers remains the more likely choice.
Alternative Choices Considered
There had been speculation that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the side to provide some slow bowling while also bolstering 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 spinner for the series.
In July, Lyon described the English spinner as “OK,” adding that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still England’s best spinner.”
“It is a massive role, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who haven’t done it in the past in these conditions,” Lyon said of slow bowling in Australian Tests.
“I won't let my secrets out so opponents perform and excel out here.”
English 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- The Captain
- Jofra Archer
- The Seamer
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
