Shoaib Bashir Makes Unexpected Selection in England's Ashes Squad
The English team has chosen a twelve-player selection just two days before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir securing a unexpected spot.
Bashir's inclusion suggests that the tourists will wait until the morning of the first Test to decide whether Perth Stadium conditions suit a pace-heavy attack or the addition of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the selected squad, showing there are no doubts about either fast bowler's fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the bowling group, with the latter expected to be omitted if Bashir makes the starting XI.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Seamers
The England coach had been expected to choose an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted five past matches.
In those matches, 134 wickets have been taken by seamers, with only a small number to spin bowling.
Of those spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed the bulk, while overseas slow bowlers combined have only eight.
At a venue renowned for its speed and carry, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, pledged that these characteristics are “permanent and not going to change,” a side relying on fast bowlers remains the more likely decision.
Spin Options Weighed
There had been rumors that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the side to provide some slow bowling while additionally strengthening the batting lineup.
But McCullum has chosen to keep faith with Bashir, having said earlier this year that he would be his first-choice spinner for the Ashes.
Earlier, Nathan Lyon described the English spinner as “decent,” adding that “from my perspective, the experienced spinner is still the English top slow bowler.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for people who haven’t done it in the past in Australian pitches,” he remarked of slow bowling in matches Down Under.
“I won't reveal my strategies so they come out and perform well out here.”
England 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- The Captain
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- The Opener
- The Batsman
- Ollie Pope
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- Mark Wood
