The Young Spinner Makes Surprise Inclusion in English Test Series Squad
England have opted for a twelve-player squad just 48 hours before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a surprise place.
The 22-year-old’s selection suggests that the visiting team will delay until the morning of the first Test to determine whether Perth Stadium pitch favor a pace-heavy attack or the addition of a spinner.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the 12-man squad, showing there are no doubts about their pace bowler’s condition.
The other seamers complete the bowling group, with the latter most likely to be omitted if the spinner enters the starting XI.
Pitch Factors Favor Pace Bowlers
The England coach had been expected to choose an pace-only lineup on a venue that has staged several previous Tests.
In those games, 134 wickets have fallen to pace bowling, with only a small number to spin.
Among these 40 wickets, the veteran spinner has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have only eight.
On a ground renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, Isaac McDonald, stated that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team loaded with fast bowlers remains the probable choice.
Spin Options Considered
Previously there was speculation that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the team to offer some slow bowling while also bolstering the batting lineup.
However McCullum has opted to keep faith with the young spinner, having said previously that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the Ashes.
In July, Lyon commented on 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 massive challenge for bowlers who haven’t done it in the previous in these conditions,” Lyon remarked of spin bowling in Australian Tests.
“I’m not going to reveal my strategies so they perform and excel out here.”
England Selected Team for Opening Match
- The Captain
- Jofra Archer
- The Seamer
- The Spinner
- Harry Brook
- The Fast Bowler
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- The Wicketkeeper
- The Speedster
