The Young Spinner Makes Surprise Inclusion in England's Ashes Team
England have chosen a 12-man selection just two days before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir securing a surprise spot.
Bashir's inclusion suggests that the visiting team will wait until the day of the first Test to determine whether the venue pitch suit a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spinner.
Both pace bowlers are included in the 12-man squad, showing there are no doubts about their pace bowler’s fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse round out the attack, with the latter most likely to be omitted if Bashir makes the starting XI.
Ground Conditions Lean Toward Seamers
The England coach had been anticipated to opt for an pace-only lineup on a venue that has hosted several past matches.
In those matches, 134 wickets have been taken by seamers, with only a small number to spin.
Among these 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has claimed 29, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.
At a venue known for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, Isaac McDonald, pledged that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team relying on fast bowlers is still the probable decision.
Spin Options Weighed
There had been speculation that the all-rounder could be brought into the side to offer some slow bowling while also strengthening the lower order.
But McCullum has chosen to keep faith with the young spinner, having stated previously that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the series.
Earlier, Nathan Lyon commented on the English spinner as “OK,” saying that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still the English best spinner.”
“This is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who haven’t done it in the previous in Australian pitches,” he remarked of spin bowling in matches Down Under.
“I won't let my secrets out so they come out and perform well out here.”
England 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- The Captain
- Jofra Archer
- The Seamer
- Shoaib Bashir
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- The Opener
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Mark Wood
