🔗 Share this article Shoaib Bashir Earns Unexpected Inclusion in England's Test Series Squad The English team has opted for a twelve-player selection just 48 hours before the first Ashes Test, with the 22-year-old spinner securing a surprise spot. Bashir's selection suggests that the tourists will delay until the day of the first Test to determine whether the venue pitch favor a pace-heavy attack or the inclusion of a spin bowler. Both pace bowlers are included in the selected squad, indicating there are no doubts about their fast bowler's condition. The other seamers round out the attack, with Carse expected to be omitted if the spinner makes the starting XI. Ground Conditions Favor Seamers The England coach had been anticipated to choose an all-seam attack on a venue that has staged five previous Tests. In those matches, the majority of dismissals have been taken by pace bowling, with only a small number to spin. Of those spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed the bulk, while overseas slow bowlers together have only eight. On a ground renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, pledged that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a side loaded with fast bowlers remains the more likely choice. Spin Options Considered There had been speculation that Will Jacks could be brought into the side to provide some slow bowling while additionally bolstering the batting lineup. But McCullum has chosen to stick with Bashir, having stated previously that he would be his preferred slow bowler for the Ashes. Earlier, Nathan Lyon commented on the English spinner as “OK,” adding that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still the English top slow bowler.” “It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who lack experience in the past in these conditions,” he said of slow bowling in Australian Tests. “I’m not going to let my secrets out so opponents perform and excel 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 The Middle-Order Joe Root Jamie Smith (wk) Mark Wood