🔗 Share this article The Young Spinner Makes Surprise Selection in England's Ashes Squad England have chosen a twelve-player squad just two days before the opening Test match, with the 22-year-old spinner earning a unexpected place. Bashir's inclusion 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 spin bowler. Both pace bowlers are part of the 12-man group, indicating there are no concerns about either fast bowler's fitness. Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse complete the attack, with the latter most likely to miss out if Bashir enters the final team. Ground Conditions Lean Toward Pace Bowlers The England coach had been expected to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted several past matches. In those matches, 134 wickets have fallen to pace bowling, with only a small number to spin bowling. Among these spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while all visiting spinners together have only eight. At a venue renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, Isaac McDonald, pledged that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a team relying on fast bowlers remains the more likely decision. Alternative Choices Considered There had been speculation that the all-rounder could be brought into the team to offer some slow bowling while additionally strengthening the batting lineup. However the coach has chosen to stick with the young spinner, having stated earlier this year that he would be his first-choice spinner for the Ashes. Earlier, Nathan Lyon commented on the English spinner 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 massive challenge for people who haven’t done it in the past in these conditions,” he said of spin bowling in Australian Tests. “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 The Captain The Pace Bowler The Seamer Shoaib Bashir Harry Brook The Fast Bowler The Opener The Batsman The Middle-Order The Veteran The Wicketkeeper Mark Wood