02. September 2025

England include Bashir in 12-man squad for Ashes opener against Australia

Bashir has claimed 68 wickets at an average of 39 across 19 Test matches

England have kept their choices flexible for the first Ashes Test by naming off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in a 12-man squad alongside five pace bowlers.

Mark Wood has been declared fit and appears set to feature against Australia in Perth on Friday, with the final decision likely coming down to a choice between off-spinner Bashir and seamer Brydon Carse.

If England opt for an all-pace attack—four specialists plus all-rounder Ben Stokes—it would arguably be the fastest bowling lineup they have fielded in an Ashes Test in Australia.

On Wednesday, Western Australia pitch curator Isaac McDonald said the surface at Perth Stadium would offer “pace and bounce,” and it seems likely England will stick to their long-standing plan of an all-pace attack.

However, the tourists have also noted dryness in the pitch, bringing Bashir into contention.

In the stadium’s short history—five previous Tests have been played there—Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is the leading wicket-taker with 29.

England have backed the 22-year-old Bashir as their first-choice spinner for more than a year, and in May he became the youngest England bowler to reach 50 Test wickets.

But he has not played a competitive match since taking the final wicket in a dramatic victory over India in the third Test at Lord’s in July.

Bashir has been sidelined with a broken finger and struggled in England’s only warm-up match against England Lions, finishing with combined figures of 2-151 from 24 overs.

It also raises the possibility of Bashir playing in an Ashes Test without being attached to a county, as his contract with Somerset expired at the end of the home summer.

Nevertheless, an England team featuring Wood, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, captain Stokes, and Carse—all capable of reaching 90mph—remains the most probable outcome.

The first Test gets underway at 02:20 GMT on Friday, with live text coverage, Test Match Special commentary, and in-play highlights available on the BBC Sport website.

England squad for first Ashes Test: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Mark Wood, Jofra Archer, Shoaib Bashir.

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While many of England’s Ashes triumphs—both at home and abroad—have been built on pace bowling, they have never fielded so many fast bowlers in the same team.

The side that won the famous 2005 home series included Steve Harmison, Simon Jones, and Andrew Flintoff.

Raymond Illingworth’s victorious 1970-71 tour of Australia featured Bob Willis, Peter Lever, and John Snow, while the England team that won in 1954-55 included Brian Statham and Frank ‘Typhoon’ Tyson.

Perhaps England’s most infamous tour of Australia—the 1932-33 Bodyline series—caused diplomatic tensions between the two countries due to a short-bowling tactic designed to unsettle the great Don Bradman.

On this occasion—one of the most highly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory—England are looking to reverse a poor record: they have not won a Test in Australia since 2011.

Only five members of the 16-man squad have played a Test in Australia, but Atkinson says this could work to their advantage.

“It could be a positive,” he told BBC Sport. “A lot of players have spoken about having tough times here in Australia.

“For us, we’re a very relaxed, positive group with no past scars. It’s incredibly exciting. We all see this as a huge opportunity to do something special.”

Australia’s net session on Wednesday was briefly delayed due to a lightning threat.

The home side is expected to hand a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also set to feature following injuries to captain Pat Cummins and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood.

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