The Young Spinner Earns Surprise Selection in English Test Series Team
The English team has opted for a 12-man selection just two days ahead of the first Ashes Test, with the 22-year-old spinner earning a unexpected spot.
Bashir'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 addition of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the selected squad, showing there are no doubts about their pace bowler’s fitness.
The other seamers round out the attack, with the latter most likely to be omitted if Bashir enters the final team.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Pace Bowlers
The England coach had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has staged five past matches.
In those matches, 134 wickets have fallen to pace bowling, with only 40 to spin.
Of those 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has taken 29, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.
On a ground known for its speed and carry, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a team relying on fast bowlers is still the more likely choice.
Spin Options Considered
Previously there was speculation that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the side to provide some slow bowling while additionally bolstering the batting lineup.
However the coach has chosen to stick 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 “decent,” adding that “from my perspective, Jack Leach is still the English best spinner.”
“This is a massive role, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who haven’t done it in the previous in these conditions,” he said of slow bowling in Australian Tests.
“I’m not going to let my secrets out so opponents perform and excel out here.”
England 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test
- The Captain
- Jofra Archer
- The Seamer
- Shoaib Bashir
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- Mark Wood
