England have chosen a twelve-player squad just two days ahead of the first Ashes Test, with Shoaib Bashir earning a unexpected spot.
The 22-year-old’s selection indicates that the tourists will wait until the day of the initial match to determine whether Perth Stadium conditions suit a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spinner.
Both pace bowlers are included in the selected group, indicating there are no concerns about their pace bowler’s condition.
Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse round out the bowling group, with the latter most likely to be omitted if Bashir enters the starting XI.
Ground Conditions Favor Pace Bowlers
Brendon McCullum had been expected 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 a small number to spin bowling.
Of those 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has claimed the bulk, while overseas slow bowlers together have only eight.
On a ground known for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side loaded with seamers is still the more likely choice.
Spin Options Weighed
There had been speculation that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the side to provide some spin while additionally bolstering the lower order.
But the coach has opted to keep faith with Bashir, having stated previously that he would be his preferred slow bowler for the Ashes.
In July, Nathan Lyon described the English spinner as “OK,” adding that “from my perspective, Jack Leach is still the English top slow bowler.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who lack experience in the past in Australian pitches,” he said of slow bowling in Australian Tests.
“I won't reveal my strategies so they come out and perform well out here.”
English Selected Team for Opening Match
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- The Spinner
- The Batsman
- Brydon Carse
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- Mark Wood
