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The English team has opted for a twelve-player squad just two days before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a unexpected spot.

Bashir's selection suggests that the tourists will delay until the morning of the initial match to decide whether the venue conditions suit four seamers or the addition of a spin bowler.

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are included in the 12-man group, indicating there are no concerns about either fast bowler's condition.

The other seamers round out the attack, with Carse most likely to miss out if the spinner makes the final team.

Ground Conditions Lean Toward Seamers

Brendon McCullum had been expected to choose an pace-only lineup on a venue that has staged several past matches.

In those games, the majority of dismissals have been taken by seamers, with only a small number to spin.

Among these spin dismissals, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has claimed the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have just a handful.

At a venue renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, Isaac McDonald, pledged that these characteristics are “permanent and not going to change,” a side loaded with seamers remains the probable choice.

Spin Options Weighed

There had been rumors that Will Jacks could be parachuted into the side to provide some slow bowling while also bolstering the batting lineup.

But McCullum has chosen to stick with the young spinner, having stated previously that he would be his preferred spinner for the series.

In July, Lyon described Bashir as “decent,” adding that “in my eyes, Jack Leach is still the English top slow bowler.”

“It is a massive role, and it can be a significant test for bowlers who haven’t done it in the previous in Australian pitches,” he said of spin bowling in Australian Tests.

“I’m not going to let my secrets out so opponents come out and perform well out here.”

England 12-man Squad for First Ashes Test

• The Captain
• Jofra Archer
• Gus Atkinson
• The Spinner
• Harry Brook
• Brydon Carse
• The Opener
• The Batsman
• The Middle-Order
• The Veteran
• The Wicketkeeper
• Mark Wood