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England have chosen a twelve-player selection just two days ahead of the first Ashes Test, with Shoaib Bashir securing a surprise spot.

The 22-year-old’s inclusion suggests that the visiting team will delay until the day of the first Test to determine whether Perth Stadium conditions suit four seamers or the inclusion of a spin bowler.

Both pace bowlers are included in the 12-man squad, showing there are no doubts about either fast bowler's condition.

The other seamers round out the bowling group, with the latter expected to miss out if the spinner makes the starting XI.

Ground Conditions Favor Seamers

Brendon McCullum had been expected to choose an all-seam attack on a venue that has staged five past matches.

In those games, the majority of dismissals have fallen to pace bowling, with only a small number to spin.

Among these 40 wickets, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have just a handful.

At a venue renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose curator, the pitch preparer, pledged that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side loaded with seamers remains the more likely decision.

Alternative Choices Considered

There had been speculation that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the team to provide some spin while also strengthening the batting lineup.

However McCullum has chosen to stick with Bashir, having stated previously that he would be his preferred spinner for the Ashes.

Earlier, Lyon described the English spinner as “decent,” saying that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still the English top slow bowler.”

“This is a massive role, and it can be a significant test for people who haven’t done it in the previous in these conditions,” he remarked of spin bowling in matches Down Under.

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

English Selected Team for First Ashes Test

• Ben Stokes (c)
• The Pace Bowler
• Gus Atkinson
• Shoaib Bashir
• Harry Brook
• The Fast Bowler
• The Opener
• The Batsman
• The Middle-Order
• The Veteran
• The Wicketkeeper
• The Speedster