The Young Spinner Earns Surprise Inclusion in English Test Series Team
England have chosen a 12-man selection just two days before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a unexpected place.
The 22-year-old’s inclusion indicates that the tourists will delay until the morning of the initial match to decide whether Perth Stadium conditions suit four seamers or the inclusion of a spin bowler.
Both pace bowlers are included in the 12-man group, showing there are no doubts about either pace bowler’s fitness.
The other seamers complete the attack, with the latter most likely to be omitted if the spinner makes the final team.
Ground Conditions Lean Toward Seamers
Brendon McCullum had been expected to choose an all-seam attack on a venue that has hosted five past matches.
In those games, 134 wickets have fallen to seamers, with only 40 to spin.
Among these 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has claimed the bulk, while overseas slow bowlers together have just a handful.
On a ground known for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, pledged that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side relying on seamers is still the more likely choice.
Spin Options Considered
Previously there was speculation that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the side to provide some slow bowling while also bolstering the batting lineup.
But McCullum has opted to stick with Bashir, having said earlier this year that he would be his preferred spinner for the Ashes.
In July, Nathan Lyon commented on Bashir as “OK,” saying that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still the English best spinner.”
“This is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who haven’t done it in the previous in these conditions,” he remarked of spin bowling in Australian Tests.
“I’m not going to let my secrets out so they come out and perform well out here.”
English 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- The Captain
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- The Opener
- The Batsman
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- Mark Wood
