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The English team has chosen a twelve-player squad just two days before the opening Test match, with the 22-year-old spinner earning a surprise spot.

Bashir's selection suggests that the visiting team will delay until the morning of the initial match to determine whether the venue pitch suit four seamers or the inclusion of a spin bowler.

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the 12-man squad, showing there are no doubts about either fast bowler's fitness.

The other seamers complete the bowling group, with Carse most likely to be omitted if Bashir makes the starting XI.

Ground Conditions Favor Seamers

The England coach had been expected to opt for an pace-only lineup on a ground that has hosted five previous Tests.

In those games, 134 wickets have been taken by pace bowling, with only 40 to spin.

Among these 40 wickets, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken 29, while overseas slow bowlers combined have just a handful.

On a ground renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, stated that these traits are “permanent and not going to change,” a side relying on fast bowlers is still the more likely choice.

Alternative Choices Weighed

Previously there was rumors that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the team to provide some slow bowling while additionally strengthening the batting lineup.

However McCullum has chosen to keep faith with Bashir, having said previously that he would be his first-choice spinner for the Ashes.

In July, Nathan Lyon described the English spinner as “OK,” saying that “from my perspective, the experienced spinner is still England’s best spinner.”

“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who lack experience in the past in Australian pitches,” he said of spin bowling in Australian Tests.

“I’m not going to reveal my strategies so opponents perform and excel out here.”

English 12-man Squad for Opening Match

• The Captain
• The Pace Bowler
• The Seamer
• Shoaib Bashir
• Harry Brook
• The Fast Bowler
• Zak Crawley
• The Batsman
• The Middle-Order
• The Veteran
• The Wicketkeeper
• Mark Wood