England spinner Shoaib Bashir had a difficult final day of the Ashes warm-up in Perth, increasing the likelihood that the tourists will choose an all-pace attack for the first Test at Optus Stadium on Friday. Bashir conceded almost seven an over, finishing with 1-83 from 12 overs for the senior side after earlier returning 1-68 from 12 for the Lions.
With Mark Wood cleared of a hamstring concern after bowling eight overs in the tune-up match, England could go with a seam-heavy group: Wood, Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson. If Stokes needs more time to prove his fitness, Josh Tongue is the most likely back-up seamer.
England beat the Lions by five wickets in Perth. A manufactured Lions declaration on 251-6 set a 201 chase, and Ollie Pope followed a first-innings century with a rapid 90 off 67 balls as the visitors reached the target in 34.4 overs. Pope was supported by an unbeaten 39 from Jamie Smith and 15 not out from Stokes after Pope, Joe Root (31) and Harry Brook (19) had been dismissed. Openers Zak Crawley (3) and Ben Duckett (0) struggled, Duckett out for a golden duck to Nathan Gilchrist.
Off-spinning all-rounder Will Jacks bowled Root and Brook, both clean-bowled, and his performance could see him move ahead of Bashir in the pecking order if England opt for a specialist spinner. For the Lions, Jacob Bethell made 70 before being caught and bowled by Bashir; Ben McKinney scored 68, Jordan Cox 57 and Jacks 20. Carse, who missed day one with illness, took 3-65 from 11 overs.
Carse said: “It’s going to be amazing. If the opportunity comes, it’s something that I’m looking forward to taking. It’s exciting. I think we’ve got a group of six bowlers who, whatever dynamic we go with, will relish those conditions.”
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26 (All times UK and Ireland)
First Test: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground