Shoaib Bashir Makes Surprise Inclusion in English Ashes Team
England have opted for a twelve-player squad just two days before the opening Test match, with the 22-year-old spinner earning a surprise spot.
The 22-year-old’s selection indicates that the tourists will wait until the morning of the initial match to decide whether Perth Stadium conditions favor a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spin bowler.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the selected squad, indicating there are no doubts about either fast bowler's fitness.
The other seamers round out the attack, with Carse most likely to miss out if the spinner enters the final team.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Pace Bowlers
Brendon McCullum had been anticipated to opt for an pace-only lineup on a ground that has hosted several previous Tests.
In those games, 134 wickets have been taken by seamers, with only 40 to spin bowling.
Among these 40 wickets, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while overseas slow bowlers combined have only eight.
At a venue known for its speed and carry, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a side loaded with seamers is still the probable decision.
Alternative Choices Weighed
Previously there was speculation that Will Jacks could be brought into the team to offer some slow bowling while also strengthening the batting lineup.
But the coach has chosen to keep faith with Bashir, having said earlier this year that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the series.
Earlier, Lyon commented on Bashir as “OK,” saying that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still England’s top slow bowler.”
“This is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who haven’t done it in the past in these conditions,” he remarked of slow bowling in matches Down Under.
“I won't let my secrets out so they perform and excel out here.”
English 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- The Captain
- Jofra Archer
- The Seamer
- The Spinner
- The Batsman
- The Fast Bowler
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
