Shoaib Bashir Earns Surprise Selection in England's Test Series Team
England have opted for a twelve-player selection just two days before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a surprise spot.
The 22-year-old’s inclusion indicates that the visiting team will wait until the day of the first Test to determine whether Perth Stadium pitch suit four seamers or the addition of a spin bowler.
Both pace bowlers are part of the 12-man squad, indicating there are no doubts about their pace bowler’s fitness.
The other seamers round out the bowling group, with the latter expected to be omitted if Bashir makes the starting XI.
Ground Conditions Favor Seamers
Brendon McCullum had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a venue that has hosted five past matches.
During these games, 134 wickets have been taken by seamers, with only 40 to spin bowling.
Of those spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while overseas slow bowlers together have only eight.
On a ground known for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, pledged that these characteristics are “permanent and not going to change,” a team relying on seamers remains the probable decision.
Spin Options Weighed
There had been speculation that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the side to provide some spin while additionally strengthening the lower order.
However the coach has chosen to keep faith with Bashir, having said previously that he would be his first-choice spinner for the series.
Earlier, Lyon commented on Bashir as “OK,” adding that “from my perspective, the experienced spinner is still the English best spinner.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for people who lack experience in the previous in these conditions,” Lyon remarked of spin bowling in Australian Tests.
“I won't reveal my strategies so opponents perform and excel out here.”
England 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- The Seamer
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- The Fast Bowler
- The Opener
- The Batsman
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- The Speedster
