🔗 Share this article Shoaib Bashir Makes Surprise Selection in England's Ashes Team England have opted for a 12-man squad just 48 hours ahead of the first Ashes Test, with Shoaib Bashir earning a unexpected place. Bashir's selection suggests that the visiting team will delay until the morning of the first Test to determine whether the venue conditions suit four seamers or the addition of a spinner. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the 12-man group, showing there are no doubts about either pace bowler’s fitness. The other seamers round out the bowling group, with the latter expected to miss out if the spinner enters the starting XI. Ground Conditions Lean Toward Seamers The England coach had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted five previous Tests. During these matches, the majority of dismissals have fallen to seamers, with only 40 to spin. Among these 40 wickets, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed 29, while overseas slow bowlers together have only eight. On a ground known for its speed and carry, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, pledged that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a team relying on seamers is still the more likely decision. Alternative Choices Considered There had been rumors that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the team to offer some spin while additionally strengthening the lower order. However McCullum has chosen to keep faith with the young spinner, having stated previously that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the series. In July, Nathan Lyon commented on the English spinner as “decent,” adding that “from my perspective, the experienced spinner is still England’s top slow bowler.” “It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who lack experience in the previous in these conditions,” he remarked of slow bowling in Australian Tests. “I’m not going to reveal my strategies so opponents come out and excel out here.” England Selected Team for Opening Match The Captain Jofra Archer Gus Atkinson Shoaib Bashir The Batsman The Fast Bowler The Opener The Batsman Ollie Pope Joe Root Jamie Smith (wk) Mark Wood