The Young Spinner Makes Surprise Inclusion in England's Test Series Squad
England have chosen a twelve-player squad just two days before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir securing a unexpected spot.
The 22-year-old’s selection indicates that the tourists will wait until the day of the initial match to decide whether the venue conditions suit four seamers or the inclusion of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the 12-man group, showing there are no concerns about either fast bowler's fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the bowling group, with Carse expected to miss out if Bashir enters the starting XI.
Pitch Factors Favor Pace Bowlers
Brendon McCullum had been expected to choose an pace-only lineup on a venue that has hosted five previous Tests.
In those matches, the majority of dismissals have fallen to pace bowling, with only 40 to spin bowling.
Of those 40 wickets, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have only eight.
At a venue known for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these characteristics are “permanent and not going to change,” a side loaded with fast bowlers is still the probable choice.
Spin Options Weighed
Previously there was speculation that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the side to provide some slow bowling while additionally strengthening the lower order.
However McCullum has opted to stick with the young spinner, having stated earlier this year that he would be his preferred slow bowler for the series.
In July, Nathan Lyon described the English spinner as “OK,” saying that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still the English best spinner.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who lack experience in the previous in Australian pitches,” Lyon said of spin bowling in matches Down Under.
“I’m not going to reveal my strategies so they perform and perform well out here.”
England 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- The Batsman
- The Fast Bowler
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- Joe Root
- The Wicketkeeper
- Mark Wood
