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England have chosen a twelve-player squad just 48 hours before the opening Test match, with Shoaib Bashir earning a unexpected place.

Bashir's inclusion indicates that the visiting team will wait until the day of the initial match to decide whether the venue conditions suit four seamers or the inclusion of a spinner.

Jofra Archer and Mark Wood are part of the 12-man group, showing there are no concerns about their fast bowler's condition.

The other seamers complete the attack, with the latter most likely to miss out if the spinner makes the starting XI.

Pitch Factors Lean Toward Seamers

Brendon McCullum had been anticipated to choose an pace-only lineup on a ground that has hosted five past matches.

During these matches, the majority of dismissals have been taken by pace bowling, with only 40 to spin bowling.

Of those 40 wickets, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has taken the bulk, while all visiting spinners together have only eight.

On a ground known for its speed and carry, and whose groundsman, Isaac McDonald, pledged that these characteristics are “a mainstay and not going to change,” a team relying on fast bowlers remains the more likely choice.

Spin Options Considered

There had been speculation that the all-rounder could be parachuted into the team to provide some slow bowling while additionally strengthening the batting lineup.

But the coach has chosen to keep faith with the young spinner, having said earlier this year that he would be his preferred slow bowler for the series.

Earlier, Lyon described Bashir as “OK,” adding that “in my eyes, the experienced spinner is still the English best spinner.”

“This is a huge responsibility, and it can be a massive challenge for people who lack experience in the previous in these conditions,” Lyon remarked of spin bowling in Australian Tests.

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

English 12-man Squad for Opening Match

• Ben Stokes (c)
• The Pace Bowler
• The Seamer
• The Spinner
• The Batsman
• Brydon Carse
• Zak Crawley
• The Batsman
• The Middle-Order
• The Veteran
• The Wicketkeeper
• The Speedster