The Young Spinner Makes Unexpected Selection in English Ashes Squad
England have opted for a twelve-player selection just two days ahead of the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a unexpected spot.
The 22-year-old’s selection suggests that the tourists will delay until the day of the first Test to decide whether the venue conditions favor a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spin bowler.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the 12-man squad, indicating there are no concerns about their fast bowler's fitness.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the attack, with Carse expected to be omitted if the spinner enters the starting XI.
Pitch Factors Favor Seamers
The England coach had been expected to choose an pace-only lineup on a venue that has staged five past matches.
In those games, the majority of dismissals have been taken by pace bowling, with only 40 to spin.
Among these spin dismissals, the veteran spinner has claimed 29, while overseas slow bowlers combined have only eight.
On a ground known for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, pledged that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team loaded with fast bowlers remains the more likely decision.
Spin Options Weighed
There had been rumors that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the team to provide some slow bowling while additionally strengthening the lower order.
However McCullum has opted to stick with the young spinner, having stated earlier this year that he would be his preferred spinner for the Ashes.
In July, Nathan Lyon described the English spinner as “decent,” saying that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still the English top slow bowler.”
“It is a massive role, and it can be a significant test for people who lack experience in the past in these conditions,” he said of slow bowling in matches Down Under.
“I’m not going to let my secrets out so opponents perform and perform well out here.”
English 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- The Captain
- The Pace Bowler
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- The Batsman
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Mark Wood
