🔗 Share this article The Young Spinner Makes Unexpected Selection in English Test Series Team The English team has opted for a twelve-player selection just two days before the first Ashes Test, with Shoaib Bashir earning a unexpected place. The 22-year-old’s selection indicates that the tourists will wait until the morning of the initial match to decide whether Perth Stadium conditions favor four seamers or the addition of a spinner. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the selected group, indicating there are no doubts about either fast bowler's fitness. The other seamers round out the bowling group, with Carse most likely to miss out if the spinner makes the final team. 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 matches, the majority of dismissals have been taken by seamers, with only a small number to spin bowling. Of those spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed 29, while all visiting spinners combined have just a handful. At a venue renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, Isaac McDonald, pledged that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side loaded with fast bowlers is still the more likely choice. Spin Options Considered There had been rumors that the all-rounder 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 Bashir, having said previously that he would be his first-choice spinner for the series. In July, Nathan Lyon commented on the English spinner as “OK,” adding that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still the English top slow bowler.” “It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who lack experience in the past in Australian pitches,” he said of slow bowling in matches Down Under. “I’m not going to let my secrets out so they perform and perform well out here.” England 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test Ben Stokes (c) Jofra Archer The Seamer Shoaib Bashir Harry Brook Brydon Carse The Opener Ben Duckett The Middle-Order Joe Root The Wicketkeeper Mark Wood