England have named a 12-man squad for the first Ashes Test in Perth, keeping young offspinner Shoaib Bashir in contention as Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum postpone their decision on whether to unleash an all-pace attack on what is expected to be the quickest surface of the series.
Mark Wood, England’s strike weapon in Australia, has been passed fit after recovering from a mild hamstring issue picked up in the warm-up match. He bowled in short spells during England’s final training sessions and is considered a near certainty for the XI. The final call now rests on whether England want Bashir’s spin option or to back a full seam battery.
Wood is one of five squad members with previous Test experience in Australia and was England’s standout quick on the 2021-22 tour, claiming 17 wickets at 26.64, including a career-best 6 for 37 in Hobart, the last time England fielded a no-spinner XI in Australia.
England have rarely gone spin-less in Australian red-ball Tests, with Boxing Day 1998 being the last time they did so at the MCG. Bashir, who has impressed Stokes and McCullum with his high release and natural overspin, offers a different angle suited to Australian bounce. However, he had a tough outing against the Lions recently, returning 2 for 151 across three innings.
Perth’s Optus Stadium traditionally rewards pace, but the final pitch call will dictate England’s approach as the Ashes begins with high tactical intrigue.
England squad for Perth Test:
Ben Stokes (C), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (WK), Mark Wood
