Shoaib Bashir Earns Surprise Selection in England's Test Series Team
England have opted for a 12-man selection just two days before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir securing a unexpected place.
The 22-year-old’s inclusion suggests that the tourists will delay until the day of the initial match to decide whether the venue conditions suit four seamers or the inclusion of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the selected group, indicating there are no doubts about their fast bowler's fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse round out the attack, with the latter expected to be omitted if Bashir enters the final team.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Seamers
The England coach had been anticipated to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has staged five previous Tests.
In those matches, 134 wickets have fallen to seamers, with only 40 to spin bowling.
Of those spin dismissals, the veteran spinner has taken the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have just a handful.
On a ground known for its speed and carry, and whose curator, Isaac McDonald, stated that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a team relying on seamers is still the more likely choice.
Spin Options Weighed
Previously there was speculation that Will Jacks could be brought into the team to offer some spin while additionally bolstering the batting lineup.
But the coach has chosen to stick with Bashir, having said earlier this year that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the series.
In July, Lyon described the English spinner as “decent,” saying that “from my perspective, the experienced spinner is still the English top slow bowler.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who lack experience in the previous in Australian pitches,” Lyon said of slow bowling in Australian Tests.
“I’m not going to let my secrets out so opponents come out and excel out here.”
English 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- The Captain
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- The Fast Bowler
- The Opener
- The Batsman
- Ollie Pope
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- The Speedster
