Follow UsShoaib Bashir is the only genuine spin option available with England ahead of the Perth Test, which will mark the start of the Ashes 2025-26. However, it is not sure whether he will play in the opener or not, contrary to their general tradition of announcing the Playing 11 in advance. The England team management did not disclose it this time around.
Reasoning as to why the playing XI was not announced in advance this time around, English skipper Ben Stokes said that a final look on the morning of the Test will decide the team’s playing 11, but Bashir is always in the top 12 of consideration.
"Team sport takes all 11 [players] to influence a game at some point. All 11 guys who get the honour of being selected in the next five games will be just as important as each other,” he said.
“He was always going to be in the 12-man [squad]. Seeing the way the game at Lilac Hill went, it felt like we could just get him as many opportunities to bowl as possible,” he added.
Speaking about the availability of Mark Wood, who has just recovered from injury and who bowled just eight overs in the practice game for England, Stokes said, "He's flying. I know you guys say he only bowled eight overs in the game, but he's been bowling for a long, long time. He has always been someone who can just hit the ground running in a game, and he's bowling [at a] rapid [pace].”
If Bashir plays, it would be a choice between Wood and Atkinson for the playing XI, in the case that both are fully fit. The first Test begins on November 21 (Friday) at Optus Stadium in Perth.
England XII: Ben Stokes (capt), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir