Shoaib Bashir Makes Surprise Inclusion in English Test Series Squad
England have chosen a twelve-player selection just 48 hours before the opening Test match, with the 22-year-old spinner earning a surprise spot.
Bashir's selection indicates that the visiting team will wait until the morning of the initial match to decide whether the venue pitch suit a pace-heavy attack or the addition of a spinner.
Both pace bowlers are part of the selected squad, showing there are no concerns about their fast bowler's fitness.
The other seamers round out the bowling group, with the latter expected to miss out if Bashir makes the starting XI.
Pitch Factors Favor Seamers
Brendon McCullum had been anticipated to choose an pace-only lineup on a venue that has staged several past matches.
In those matches, the majority of dismissals have fallen to pace bowling, with only 40 to spin.
Among these spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.
At a venue known for its speed and carry, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these characteristics are “permanent and not going to change,” a team loaded with seamers is still the probable decision.
Spin Options Weighed
Previously there was speculation that Will Jacks could be brought into the team to provide some spin while additionally bolstering the batting lineup.
But McCullum has chosen to stick with the young spinner, having stated earlier this year that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the Ashes.
In July, Lyon commented on Bashir as “OK,” saying that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still the English top slow bowler.”
“It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who lack experience in the past in these conditions,” Lyon remarked of slow bowling in matches Down Under.
“I’m not going to let my secrets out so they perform and perform well out here.”
English 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- The Captain
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
