Shoaib Bashir Earns Unexpected Inclusion in English Test Series Squad

The English team has chosen a twelve-player squad just 48 hours ahead of the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a surprise place.

The 22-year-old’s selection indicates that the tourists will delay until the day of the initial match to decide whether the venue pitch suit four seamers or the addition of a spinner.

Both pace bowlers are part of the 12-man group, showing there are no doubts about either fast bowler's fitness.

The other seamers round out the bowling group, with the latter expected to miss out if the spinner enters the final team.

Pitch Factors Lean Toward Pace Bowlers

Brendon McCullum had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has staged five previous Tests.

In those games, the majority of dismissals have fallen to pace bowling, with only a small number to spin bowling.

Among these spin dismissals, the veteran spinner has taken the bulk, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.

On a ground known for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team relying on seamers is still the probable decision.

Spin Options Weighed

Previously there was speculation that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the side to offer some slow bowling while also strengthening the batting lineup.

However McCullum has opted to stick with the young spinner, having stated earlier this year that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the series.

Earlier, Nathan Lyon commented on the English spinner as “OK,” adding that “in my eyes, 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 won't reveal my strategies so opponents perform and perform well out here.”

England Selected Team for Opening Match

• The Captain
• Jofra Archer
• Gus Atkinson
• Shoaib Bashir
• The Batsman
• The Fast Bowler
• Zak Crawley
• The Batsman
• The Middle-Order
• Joe Root
• Jamie Smith (wk)
• Mark Wood