Shoaib Bashir Earns Surprise Selection in England's Ashes Team
England have opted for a 12-man squad just two days before the opening Test match, with the 22-year-old spinner securing a surprise spot.
Bashir's inclusion indicates that the visiting team will delay until the morning of the first Test to determine whether Perth Stadium conditions favor four seamers or the addition of a spinner.
Both pace bowlers are included in the selected group, indicating there are no concerns about their fast bowler's fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the bowling group, with Carse most likely to miss out if Bashir makes the final team.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Pace Bowlers
Brendon McCullum had been expected to choose an all-seam attack on a venue that has staged five previous Tests.
During these games, 134 wickets have been taken by seamers, with only a small number to spin.
Of those spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while all visiting spinners combined have only eight.
On a ground known for its speed and carry, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, pledged that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side loaded with fast bowlers is still the more likely choice.
Spin Options Considered
Previously there was speculation that the all-rounder could be brought into the team to offer some slow bowling while additionally strengthening the batting lineup.
However McCullum has chosen to keep faith with Bashir, having said previously that he would be his preferred spinner for the series.
Earlier, Nathan Lyon commented on Bashir as “OK,” adding that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still the English best spinner.”
“This is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who lack experience in the past in Australian pitches,” Lyon remarked of spin bowling in Australian Tests.
“I won't let my secrets out so opponents perform and excel out here.”
English Selected Team for Opening Match
- Ben Stokes (c)
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- The Batsman
- The Middle-Order
- Joe Root
- The Wicketkeeper
- The Speedster
