The Young Spinner Makes Unexpected Selection in England's Test Series Team
The English team has opted for a 12-man squad just 48 hours before the first Ashes Test, with Shoaib Bashir earning a surprise spot.
Bashir's selection indicates that the visiting team will wait until the morning of the initial match to decide whether the venue conditions favor a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spin bowler.
Both pace bowlers are part of the selected group, indicating there are no doubts about either fast bowler's fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the bowling group, with the latter most likely to miss out if the spinner makes the final team.
Pitch Factors Favor Seamers
Brendon McCullum had been anticipated to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted five previous Tests.
During these games, the majority of dismissals have fallen to seamers, with only 40 to spin.
Of those spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed 29, while overseas slow bowlers combined have just a handful.
On a ground known for its speed and carry, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side relying on fast bowlers remains the more likely decision.
Alternative Choices Considered
There had been speculation that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the side to provide some slow bowling while also strengthening the lower order.
But the coach has chosen to keep faith with the young spinner, having stated previously that he would be his preferred slow bowler for the Ashes.
Earlier, Nathan Lyon described Bashir as “decent,” adding that “from my perspective, the experienced spinner is still England’s top slow bowler.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who lack experience in the previous in Australian pitches,” he remarked of slow bowling in matches Down Under.
“I’m not going to reveal my strategies so they perform and perform well out here.”
England 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- The Captain
- The Pace Bowler
- The Seamer
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- The Fast Bowler
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- The Speedster
