🔗 Share this article Shoaib Bashir Earns Unexpected Inclusion in English Test Series Team The English team has chosen a 12-man squad just 48 hours before the first Ashes Test, with Shoaib Bashir securing a unexpected spot. The 22-year-old’s selection suggests that the tourists will wait until the day of the initial match to determine whether Perth Stadium conditions favor four seamers or the addition of a spinner. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the selected group, showing there are no doubts about either fast bowler's fitness. The other seamers round out the attack, with the latter expected to be omitted if Bashir enters the starting XI. Ground Conditions Lean Toward Seamers Brendon McCullum had been expected to choose an all-seam attack on a venue that has hosted several past matches. In those games, 134 wickets have been taken by pace bowling, with only a small number to spin bowling. Among these 40 wickets, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while all visiting spinners together have just a handful. At a venue renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, Isaac McDonald, pledged that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side relying on seamers remains the more likely decision. Spin Options Weighed There had been rumors that Will Jacks could be brought into the side to provide some slow bowling while additionally bolstering the batting lineup. However the coach has opted to stick with the young spinner, having stated previously that he would be his preferred spinner for the series. In July, Lyon commented on Bashir as “decent,” adding that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still England’s best spinner.” “This is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for people who haven’t done it in the past in these conditions,” Lyon remarked of spin bowling in matches Down Under. “I won't reveal my strategies so they come out and perform well out here.” England Selected Team for Opening Match Ben Stokes (c) The Pace Bowler Gus Atkinson Shoaib Bashir The Batsman The Fast Bowler Zak Crawley Ben Duckett Ollie Pope The Veteran Jamie Smith (wk) Mark Wood