The Young Spinner Earns Surprise Inclusion in English Ashes Team
England have chosen a 12-man squad just 48 hours ahead of the first Ashes Test, with the 22-year-old spinner securing a surprise spot.
The 22-year-old’s inclusion indicates that the tourists will wait until the day of the initial match to decide whether Perth Stadium pitch suit four seamers or the addition of a spin bowler.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the selected squad, showing there are no concerns about their fast bowler's fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the attack, with Carse most likely to be omitted if Bashir enters the starting XI.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Pace Bowlers
Brendon McCullum had been expected to choose an all-seam attack on a ground that has staged several past matches.
In those matches, 134 wickets have been taken by pace bowling, with only 40 to spin.
Of those spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful.
At a venue renowned for its speed and carry, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, pledged that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a side relying on fast bowlers remains the probable choice.
Spin Options Considered
Previously there was rumors that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the side to offer some spin while also strengthening the batting lineup.
But the coach has chosen to stick with Bashir, having said previously that he would be his first-choice spinner for the series.
In July, Nathan Lyon commented on Bashir as “decent,” adding that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still England’s top slow bowler.”
“This is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for people who lack experience in the past in Australian pitches,” he remarked of slow bowling in matches Down Under.
“I’m not going to let my secrets out so they come out and excel out here.”
England 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- The Batsman
- The Fast Bowler
- Zak Crawley
- The Batsman
- Ollie Pope
- The Veteran
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Mark Wood
