The Young Spinner Earns Surprise Inclusion in English Test Series Team

England have opted for a twelve-player selection just two days ahead of the first Ashes Test, with Shoaib Bashir securing a surprise place.

The 22-year-old’s inclusion indicates that the visiting team will wait until the day of the initial match to determine whether the venue pitch suit four seamers or the addition of a spin bowler.

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the 12-man squad, showing there are no doubts about their fast bowler's fitness.

Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the attack, with the latter most likely to be omitted if the spinner enters the starting XI.

Pitch Factors Favor Pace Bowlers

Brendon McCullum had been expected to opt for an pace-only lineup on a venue that has staged several past matches.

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

Of those 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has taken the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have only eight.

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

Spin Options Considered

Previously there was rumors that Will Jacks could be brought into the side to offer some slow bowling while also strengthening the lower order.

However McCullum has chosen to keep faith with Bashir, having stated earlier this year that he would be his preferred spinner for the series.

Earlier, Lyon described the English spinner as “OK,” saying that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still England’s top slow bowler.”

“This is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for people who haven’t done it in the previous in Australian pitches,” Lyon said of slow bowling in Australian Tests.

“I’m not going to let my secrets out so opponents perform and perform well out here.”

England 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test

• Ben Stokes (c)
• The Pace Bowler
• The Seamer
• The Spinner
• Harry Brook
• Brydon Carse
• Zak Crawley
• The Batsman
• Ollie Pope
• The Veteran
• The Wicketkeeper
• The Speedster