Shoaib Bashir Earns Surprise Inclusion in England's Test Series Team
The English team has chosen a twelve-player squad just two days ahead of the first Ashes Test, with the 22-year-old spinner earning a surprise spot.
The 22-year-old’s selection indicates that the tourists will delay until the morning of the initial match to determine whether the venue conditions suit a pace-heavy attack or the addition of a spin bowler.
Both pace bowlers are included in the selected group, showing there are no doubts about their pace bowler’s fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse round out the bowling group, with the latter most likely to miss out if the spinner enters the final team.
Ground Conditions Favor Pace Bowlers
Brendon McCullum had been anticipated to choose an pace-only lineup on a ground that has staged several previous Tests.
In those matches, 134 wickets have been taken by pace bowling, with only a small number to spin bowling.
Of those spin dismissals, the veteran spinner has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners combined have only eight.
On a ground renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team loaded with fast bowlers remains the probable decision.
Spin Options Weighed
Previously there was rumors that Will Jacks could be brought into the team to offer some slow bowling while additionally bolstering the batting lineup.
However McCullum has opted to stick with Bashir, having said earlier this year that he would be his first-choice spinner for the series.
In July, Lyon commented on Bashir as “decent,” adding that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still the English best spinner.”
“This is a massive role, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who haven’t done it in the past in Australian pitches,” Lyon said of spin bowling in matches Down Under.
“I’m not going to reveal my strategies so they come out and excel out here.”
England Selected Team for First Ashes Test
- Ben Stokes (c)
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- The Opener
- The Batsman
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- The Wicketkeeper
- The Speedster
