In an attempt to end the series on a high note, England’s 12-man selection for the fifth Ashes Test against Australia on Friday added spinner Shoaib Bashir and seamer Matthew Potts.
After Gus Atkinson hobbled off with a hamstring injury during the previous Test in Melbourne, which England won in two days, Potts, the sole unused fast bowler from their initial 16-man squad, gets his chance.
Fellow pacers Mark Wood and Jofra Archer are already out due to injuries. Archer was sidelined following the third Test in Adelaide due to a side strain, while Wood (knee) only participated in the first Test in Perth.
Australia have already won the series and retained the urn.
Potts, who hasn’t played a Test since December 2024, is anticipated to add to his 10 caps in Sydney on Sunday as a direct substitute for Atkinson. Will Jacks and Bashir will compete for the last berth.
When England first came to Australia, Bashir was regarded as their best spinner, but he hasn’t yet played with all-rounder Jacks preferred.
Australia lead the five-Test series 3-1, but England’s thrilling four-wicket victory over Melbourne gave them confidence.
It would be a “pretty good series” if they could finish 2-3 behind, according to opener Zak Crawley.
“I think there’s a big difference just internally in the group,” he said when asked the difference between losing 1-4 or 2-3.
“It just shows a lot about our group and how united we are if we can get a win. It might not go our way, but if we can put up a good performance this week, that says a lot about the group.”
After the Melbourne wicket was significantly skewed in favor of the fast bowlers, Adam Lewis, the head curator of the Sydney Cricket Ground, is under pressure to create a pitch that benefits both bat and ball.
It was dangerous to bat on the “unsatisfactory” track, according to the International Cricket Council. In contrast to the ten millimeters of grass in Melbourne, Lewis told reporters that his ground crew was shooting for six millimeters.
“The only thing we can’t control is the weather,” said Lewis, with rain showers expected on Sunday and Monday.
“We’re just trying to prepare a pitch that’s a great balance for bat and ball.”
England squad: Ben Stokes (Capt.), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue
