The Young Spinner Makes Unexpected Selection in English Ashes Squad
England have chosen a 12-man squad just 48 hours before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a surprise place.
The 22-year-old’s selection suggests that the tourists will delay until the day of the first Test to decide whether Perth Stadium pitch suit four seamers or the addition of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the 12-man group, showing there are no doubts about either pace bowler’s fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the attack, with Carse expected to miss out if the spinner makes the final team.
Ground Conditions Favor Pace Bowlers
The England coach had been expected to choose an all-seam attack on a venue that has staged five previous Tests.
During these games, the majority of dismissals have fallen to pace bowling, with only a small number to spin.
Among these 40 wickets, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while overseas slow bowlers together have only eight.
At a venue known for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, pledged that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side loaded with fast bowlers remains the probable choice.
Alternative Choices Weighed
There had been rumors that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the team to provide some spin while also bolstering the lower order.
However the coach has chosen to keep faith with the young spinner, having stated earlier this year that he would be his first-choice spinner for the Ashes.
Earlier, Lyon commented on Bashir as “OK,” adding that “from my perspective, Jack Leach is still England’s best spinner.”
“It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge 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 perform well out here.”
English 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- The Seamer
- Shoaib Bashir
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- The Batsman
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
