England has named off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and seamer Matthew Potts in their 12-man squad for the upcoming fifth Ashes Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The squad sees the exclusion of fast bowler Gus Atkinson, who is sidelined due to a hamstring injury following the team’s recent victory in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The inclusion of Bashir and Potts provides England with added flexibility, particularly considering the spin-friendly conditions expected at the SCG. Both players are in contention to make their Ashes debut, with Potts likely to earn his 11th Test cap after being part of the touring party but unused so far in the series. The decision on Potts’ selection will depend on the pitch conditions at the SCG, which show a slight green tinge.
While Bashir missed out on the first Test in Perth, where England opted for an all-pace attack that led to a two-day finish, he now stands a chance to feature in the upcoming Test. The upcoming match presents an opportunity for England to secure another victory, building on their recent success in Melbourne and gaining momentum for future World Test Championship fixtures.
The England squad for the fifth Ashes Test includes Ben Stokes as captain, along with players like Jacob Bethell, Zak Crawley, Joe Root, and others. The addition of Bashir and Potts aims to bolster England’s chances in the final Test of the series.
