The English team has opted for a 12-man selection just two days ahead of the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir securing a surprise spot.
Bashir's inclusion suggests that the visiting team will delay until the day of the first Test to determine whether the venue conditions suit four seamers or the addition of a spinner.
Both pace bowlers are included in the selected squad, showing there are no doubts about either fast bowler's condition.
The other seamers complete the bowling group, with the latter expected to miss out if Bashir makes the starting XI.
Pitch Factors Lean Toward Seamers
The England coach had been anticipated to opt for an all-seam attack on a ground that has hosted five previous Tests.
In those matches, 134 wickets have been taken by seamers, with only 40 to spin.
Of those spin dismissals, the veteran spinner has taken 29, while all visiting spinners combined have only eight.
At a venue renowned for its pace and bounce, and whose groundsman, the pitch preparer, stated that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a side relying on fast bowlers remains the more likely decision.
Spin Options Weighed
There had been speculation that Will Jacks could be brought into the team to provide some slow bowling while additionally bolstering the batting lineup.
But the coach has opted to keep faith with Bashir, having said previously that he would be his preferred spinner for the series.
Earlier, Lyon commented on Bashir as “decent,” saying that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still the English best spinner.”
“It is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for bowlers who haven’t done it in the previous in these conditions,” Lyon said of spin bowling in matches Down Under.
“I won't reveal my strategies so they perform and excel out here.”
English 12-man Squad for Opening Match
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jofra Archer
- Gus Atkinson
- Shoaib Bashir
- The Batsman
- Brydon Carse
- The Opener
- The Batsman
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- The Speedster
