England have opted for a twelve-player selection just two days before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir securing a surprise place.
Bashir's selection indicates that the visiting team will wait until the day of the first Test to determine whether the venue pitch suit four seamers or the inclusion of a spin bowler.
Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the 12-man group, indicating there are no concerns about their pace bowler’s fitness.
The other seamers complete the attack, with Carse most likely to be omitted if the spinner makes the starting XI.
Ground Conditions Lean Toward Pace Bowlers
The England coach had been anticipated to choose an pace-only lineup on a venue that has staged several past matches.
During these games, 134 wickets have fallen to seamers, with only 40 to spin.
Of those spin dismissals, the veteran spinner has claimed the bulk, while overseas slow bowlers combined have just a handful.
On a ground renowned for its speed and carry, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team relying on fast bowlers is still the probable choice.
Spin Options Considered
Previously there was rumors that Will Jacks could be brought into the side to offer some spin while also bolstering the lower order.
However McCullum has chosen to keep faith with Bashir, having said earlier this year that he would be his first-choice slow bowler for the Ashes.
In July, Lyon commented on the English spinner as “decent,” adding that “from my perspective, Jack Leach 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,” Lyon remarked of slow bowling in Australian Tests.
“I’m not going to reveal my strategies so opponents come out and perform well out here.”
English 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- Ben Stokes (c)
- The Pace Bowler
- The Seamer
- Shoaib Bashir
- Harry Brook
- Brydon Carse
- The Opener
- Ben Duckett
- The Middle-Order
- The Veteran
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
