Shoaib Bashir Makes Unexpected Selection in English Ashes Team
The English team has chosen a 12-man selection just two days ahead of the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a surprise place.
The 22-year-old’s selection suggests that the tourists will wait until the day of the first Test to decide whether Perth Stadium conditions suit a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the selected squad, indicating there are no concerns about their fast bowler's fitness.
The other seamers round out the attack, with Carse expected to miss out if the spinner makes the starting XI.
Ground Conditions Lean Toward Seamers
The England coach had been expected to choose an all-seam attack on a venue that has staged five previous Tests.
In those matches, the majority of dismissals have fallen to seamers, with only a small number to spin bowling.
Of those spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while overseas slow bowlers combined have just a handful.
On a ground known for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a team loaded with fast bowlers remains the more likely choice.
Spin Options Considered
There had been speculation that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the side to provide some spin while additionally bolstering the lower order.
However McCullum has opted to stick with Bashir, having said previously that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the Ashes.
In July, Nathan Lyon described Bashir as “decent,” adding that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still England’s best spinner.”
“It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who haven’t done it in the previous in Australian pitches,” Lyon said of slow bowling in matches Down Under.
“I won't reveal my strategies so opponents come out and perform well out here.”
English Selected Team for First Ashes Test
- The Captain
- Jofra Archer
- The Seamer
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- The Fast Bowler
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Mark Wood
