Shoaib Bashir Makes Unexpected Inclusion in England's Test Series Team
England have chosen a twelve-player squad just 48 hours before the first Ashes Test, with the 22-year-old spinner earning a unexpected spot.
Bashir's selection suggests that the tourists will wait until the day of the initial match to determine whether the venue conditions favor four seamers or the inclusion of a spin bowler.
Both pace bowlers are part of the selected squad, showing there are no doubts about either fast bowler's condition.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse round out the bowling group, with the latter expected to be omitted if Bashir makes the final team.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Seamers
Brendon McCullum had been expected to choose an pace-only lineup on a venue that has hosted five previous Tests.
During these matches, 134 wickets have fallen to seamers, with only 40 to spin bowling.
Of those 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has taken the bulk, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.
At a venue known for its speed and carry, and whose curator, Isaac McDonald, stated that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team loaded with fast bowlers is still the more likely choice.
Spin Options Weighed
There had been speculation that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the team to provide some slow bowling while additionally bolstering the batting lineup.
But the coach has opted to stick with the young spinner, having said previously that he would be his preferred slow bowler for the series.
Earlier, Lyon described the English spinner as “OK,” saying that “from my perspective, Jack Leach is still England’s top slow bowler.”
“This is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who lack experience in the past in these conditions,” Lyon said of spin bowling in Australian Tests.
“I won't reveal my strategies so they come out and perform well out here.”
English Selected Team for First Ashes Test
- Ben Stokes (c)
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- The Batsman
- The Middle-Order
- Joe Root
- The Wicketkeeper
- The Speedster
